Republicans tank vote on Pentagon funding package, deal blow to McCarthy

A group of House Republicans on Tuesday sided with Democrats to block a procedural vote that would have advanced a package to fund the Pentagon.

The 212-214 vote blocked floor debate on the legislation and consequently shelved the proposal, according to The Hill. Five Republican hardliners broke ranks to demand House leadership push for more substantive spending cuts.

The dissidents were Reps. Ralph Norman, S.C., Andy Biggs, Ariz., Ken Buck, Colo., Dan Bishop, N.C., and Matt Rosendale, Mont. Their actions are somewhat unusual as the majority party generally endorses the procedural votes independent of their standing on a bill's final passage.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, however, has struggled to maintain control of his conference. With only a slim Republican majority in the lower chamber following a disappointing midterm result, the California Republican has had to contend with an emboldened conservative wing, largely made up of Freedom Caucus members, that has pushed for more aggressive action from chamber leadership.

Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a shut down. In total, there are 12 appropriations bills that both chambers must approve to fully avert such a development.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.