Lone GOP rep blocks disaster aid bill in surprise move
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A lone Republican congressman single-handedly stalled a $19 billion disaster aid bill that lawmakers had expected to pass before the Memorial Day weekend.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy took to the House floor late Friday morning to object when lawmakers tried to approve the legislation using a fast-track tactic, with many members of Congress already gone for the holiday.
“If I do not object, Congress will have passed a bill with $19 billion without being here to vote on it,” Roy said.
Railing against the “swamp,” Roy objected to speeding the measure through a nearly-empty chamber, complained it wasn’t paid for and challenged a decision not to include President Trump’s $4.5 billion request for dealing with the migrant crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Under House rules, it only took one opposing member to derail the vote. The package likely will now be delayed at least until early June.
Democrats slammed Roy in response. Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla., called the turn of events “tragic.”
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