The House narrowly advanced its annual military construction appropriations bill on Thursday, ending a weeklong standoff between GOP leadership and hard-line conservatives who initially threatened to tank the legislation unless deep spending cuts were made.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act passed the House with a 218-211 vote, allowing the House to make some headway on spending legislation before lawmakers are set to leave for a six-week recess later Thursday. The bill passed largely along party lines after all Democrats voted against the measure. Only two Republicans opposed the bill: Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Ken Buck (R-CO).
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The military appropriations bill typically passes without much drama or fervor, making it one of the easiest spending bills to pass out of Congress each year. However, that process was nearly uprooted earlier this week after members of the House Freedom Caucus threatened to withhold their support for the must-pass legislation unless GOP leadership made some crucial changes.
Republicans were seen meeting in House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) office in the days and hours leading up to the vote, although it remained unclear whether the bill had enough GOP support up until the moment it was brought to the floor. Some members, including Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), told reporters ahead of the vote they'd vote against it.
One of the top demands made by House Freedom Caucus members was to slash spending to fiscal 2022 levels, which would amount to a roughly $115 billion cut.
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“We want the ‘22 levels, and we want no rescissions,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) told reporters on Tuesday. “No smoke and mirrors for the American people. We want a budget that trims the fat, goes to programs that will defend and protect this country.”
It’s not entirely clear whether a deal was made between McCarthy and Freedom Caucus members in order to secure their support, but the speaker managed to wrangle enough support within his caucus to advance the bill. The House is now expected to adjourn for its August recess, leaving town one day earlier than planned due to disagreements over the agriculture appropriations bill.