U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, speaks to business leaders on Thursday during an Aspire Legislation Matters luncheon at Valle Vista Golf Club and Conference Center in Greenwood.
Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., voted Tuesday evening for new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal to prevent a government shutdown.
The proposal, which would temporarily fund the government into the new year, cleared the House in a 336-95 vote after Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan, The Associated Press reported.
The plan divided House Republicans representing Indiana. Reps. Jim Baird and Larry Bucshon voted for it, while Reps. Jim Banks, Erin Houchin, Victoria Spartz and Rudy Yakym voted against it.
It was the first time the new speaker had to force vital legislation through the House, and he showed a willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind — the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago, according to wire reports.
For now, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.
The new Republican leader faced the same political problem that led to McCarthy’s ouster — angry, frustrated, hard-right GOP lawmakers rejected his approach, demanded budget cuts and voted against the plan, according to wire reports. Rather than the applause and handshakes that usually follow passage of a bill, several hardline conservatives animatedly confronted the speaker as they exited the chamber.
Without enough support from his Republican majority, Johnson had little choice but to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running.
Johnson’s proposal puts forward a unique — critics say bizarre — two-part process that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2, according to the AP. It’s a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the deep cuts conservatives have demanded all year. It also fails to include President Joe Biden’s request for nearly $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.
