A huge disaster relief bill once again failed to pass in the House because of a single Republican lawmaker.
On Thursday, the House tried yet again to pass the $19 billion bill through unanimous consent. But, as the name implies, unanimous consent can be overturned by just one vote. And although Congress is currently on recess, Rep. John Rose of Tennessee appeared at the House Chamber to voice his objection to the bill's passage.
"Our nation is $22 trillion in debt, trying to pass nearly $20 billion in new spending, while the majority of Congress is not even in Washington reflects another act of irresponsible big government," Rose said. "This is absolutely, without a doubt, wrong."
This marks the third time in less than a week that House Republicans have stopped the bill's passage. The bill was first blocked last Friday by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, and then again on Tuesday by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky. All three congressmen gave similar reasoning for their objections, arguing that the package should be passed through a floor vote and not via unanimous consent.
The bill, which is meant to provide aid to Americans affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding and wildfires, had already passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. It also includes $900 million in funding for Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from Hurricane Maria. President Donald Trump also said he'd sign the bill if it made it to his desk, despite not containing the border wall funding he'd asked for in the past.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced her frustration Thursday, saying in a statement, "House Republicans have once again heartlessly sabotaged the passage of an urgently-needed, bipartisan bill to bring relief to millions of families across America devastated by natural disasters. This sabotage is unconscionable, dangerous and must stop."
The bill is still expected to pass when the House returns to Washington next week and holds a floor vote.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
