The U.S. House of Representatives resumed its legislative work on Tuesday after a week-long standoff between Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and a small group of his party members who defied his orders to vote against a bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The House passed several bills by voice vote on Tuesday morning, including measures to combat human trafficking and support veterans. The chamber also approved a resolution to honor the late former Senator Bob Dole.
McCarthy had tried to prevent his caucus from supporting the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law on Monday. He argued that it would add to the national debt and undermine Republican efforts to win back the House in next year’s midterm elections.
However, 13 Republicans broke ranks and voted for the bill on November 5, along with 228 Democrats. The rebels included moderates such as Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, as well as conservatives such as Rep. Don Young of Alaska and Rep. Tom Reed of New York.
McCarthy reportedly threatened to strip the defectors of their committee assignments and fundraising support. He also delayed the House’s return to session by a week, citing concerns about COVID-19 protocols.
But some of the dissenters pushed back against McCarthy’s pressure tactics and defended their vote as good for their constituents and the country. They also accused him of being more interested in appeasing former President Donald Trump than in governing.
“I’m not going to be bullied by anyone,” Kinzinger said on CNN on Sunday. “I think Leader McCarthy has a lot of things he needs to answer for.”
Kinzinger is one of two Republicans who serve on the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters. He and Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming have been outspoken critics of Trump and his role in inciting the violence.
McCarthy has denounced both Kinzinger and Cheney as “Pelosi Republicans” for accepting Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s invitation to join the panel. He has also vowed to remove them from their committee seats if Republicans regain control of the House.
The House is expected to vote later this week on a $1.75 trillion social spending and climate bill that is another key part of Biden’s agenda. The bill faces unanimous opposition from Republicans and some resistance from moderate Democrats in both chambers.
