Hours after Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY) blocked an effort by House leaders of both parties to give final approval to the disaster bill without a formal roll call vote, Perdue said it was 'pathetic' that GOP lawmakers 'have chosen this moment to grandstand,' leading a series of pointed rebukes from GOP members in Georgia, who have pleaded for help for their state's farmers, hit hard by Hurricane Michael.
"Unfortunately, more clowns showed up today to once again delay disaster relief for the states and farmers devastated by the storms of 2018," said Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), who has also criticized the White House for a lack of urgency in getting storm relief through the Congress.
Unfortunately, more clowns showed up today to once again delay disaster relief for the states and farmers devastated by the storms of 2018. This bill will pass the House next week, and President Trump will sign it. #GA08
— Rep. Austin Scott (@AustinScottGA08) May 28, 2019
The Tuesday objection took the same form as last Friday on the House floor, when Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) also refused to allow the disaster bill to be sent to the President for his signature.
Roy and a handful of other Republicans spent much of Tuesday trying to shift blame for the delay to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arguing that Democrats should have brought Congress back from a Memorial Day break in order to vote on the disaster plan.
"To expect Congress to do its job - to show up to work - to debate - to make tough choices - to spend within its means - to move swiftly but effectively... these are the things the American people expect," Roy tweeted.
"I was just here to stop legislative malpractice today," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said after blocking the bill on Tuesday, echoing Roy's request for a roll call vote.
But not only did Massie block the disaster bill, he also refused to allow the approval of a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program passed last week by the Senate.
That also drew an exasperated reaction on Capitol Hill, and in flood prone states.
.@LouisianaGov on #NFIP hangup in Congress. Story: https://t.co/KglRCs9K2r #lalege #lagov #laflood pic.twitter.com/DdqndX6wyt
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) May 28, 2019
It is shameful that House GOP blocked passage of a bipartisan disaster relief bill for a second time. I will bring this bill & a 2-week flood insurance ext. to the Floor on Thurs. If House GOP blocks this legislation again, we will consider it next week. https://t.co/prBimg0NUC
— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) May 28, 2019
House GOP leaders had signed off on approval of both the disaster relief bill and the short-term flood insurance program extension - but that was not enough to forestall Massie's objection.
The House will try again on Thursday - if there is a repeat, then the lawmakers will vote on both measures next week.
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