Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) told Washington Watch yesterday that a gentlemen's agreement might allow for the contentious defense spending bill to reach the floor for debate. The House also reached this point late Wednesday, but five of the more conservative Republicans ultimately voted "no" on the proposal to bring the bill to the floor.
The defense bill equates to about 60-65% of the budget, Perry said.
"The leadership wanted to move that, and they were given assurances by some that they would vote for the rule [of debate]. People must have changed their minds overnight. It's being held kind of as a hostage because once you move 60-65% of the spending, all the rest of them run much easier. So, we're looking for ways to find some cuts," Perry told show host Tony Perkins.
RollCall.com reported that Representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Eli Crane of Arizona, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Rosendale of Montana were the no votes. All but Green are Freedom Caucus members. She was removed from the group in July, Conservative Brief reported.
"I voted for the rule in good faith that we're going to do what we said we were going to do based on [Wednesday] night's meeting," said Perry, the Freedom Caucus chairman. "But there are a couple of hundred of us here, and you never know what's going to happen with each and every one. Maybe someone was betrayed, and they felt this was their only way to register their discord; but we got back in the room, and I think there's a new process agreement in place, generally speaking,"
Some members have left town with the House in recess until early next week, but those members could be called back quickly. Even so, Perry isn't optimistic that a bill would be debated and voted on over the weekend.
"Once the rules come out, we want 72 hours to read that," he explained. "So, it looks like there likely won't be any votes over the weekend, but this is Washington, D.C. As soon as you think something's going to happen, something else happens."
The current government funding agreement ends Sept. 30. Without a new one, there could be a partial government shutdown.
Once debate begins, 184 amendments are waiting to be considered with the legislation.
While the clock ticks, some House members say there has to be a cushion between a proposed rules agreement and debate on the floor.
"I've got my sleeves rolled up, and we're working with our colleagues to get something done," Perry concluded. "We think this is critical."
