House overcomes key hurdle on reconciliation framework, CR and other measures

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) cleared the first major hurdle of his packed legislative agenda Tuesday, when House Republicans passed a rule setting up floor debate and final votes on a slate of high-profile Republican priorities before lawmakers leave Washington.

The lower chamber voted 214-211 to pass the rule, advancing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a stock trading ban bill, a budget framework for a third reconciliation package and a stopgap measure that would fund federal agencies at existing levels until Dec. 4.

The rule also includes language to merge the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act with the NDAA before it is sent to the Senate, in a legislative procedure known as MIRVing. The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and the presentation of an ID to cast a ballot.

The successful vote comes after some House Republicans had expressed hesitancy with supporting the rule Tuesday morning. One major area of concern had been the lack of offsets in the $95 billion boost detailed in the budget resolution.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) had also said she was undecided on the rule, due to anger about an amendment not being approved to restore terminated pensions for workers at the former General Motors auto parts company Delphi.

The vote itself wasn't entirely smooth. A group of GOP holdouts — enough to sink the rule — staged what Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called a "minor revolt," witholding their support as Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) surrounded them in a huddle on the House floor.

The holdouts, which included Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), eventually flipped their votes, with only Massie voting "no."

From the gallery, it appeared Johnson reached out his hand to shake Burchett's as the holdouts changed their votes, and that Burchett appeared put up his hand and declined to shake Johnson's.

Burchett afterward said that was not how the interaction had gone.

"No, they're in error. I'll shake anybody's (hand), I'll shake your hand," he said, shaking the hand of a reporter. "I get angry at him, but I'm not a jerk to him."

The House is expected to take up the stopgap funding measure Tuesday evening.

The rule vote hands Johnson an early victory as he looks to steer his conference through a busy legislative week.