Johnson urges House members to return “right now” as air delays threaten potential shutdown vote
House lawmakers could face challenges returning to Washington this week to vote on a package to fund the government as the shutdown disrupts air travel across the country. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday morning that he would call members back to the Capitol “the very moment” the Senate holds a final vote on a government funding package. Members will be given a 36-hour notice, a change from the earlier guidance of 48 hours. Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters he wants the House to vote “as soon as possible” on the deal that would fund the government until January 30. But air travel delays and cancellations around the U.S.—caused mostly by staffing shortages—could upend the House vote. House Republicans can afford to lose only two votes if all members are present and voting. Any absences could prolong the shutdown fight. Two Republicans voted against the original version of the bill in September, though it received support from one Democrat. Johnson called the travel disruptions a “very serious situation” and urged members: “As of Sunday, nearly half of all domestic flights and U.S. flights were either canceled or delayed. I’m stating the obvious to my colleagues—Republicans and Democrats alike—you need to begin right now returning to the Hill.” According to FlightAware, over 1,000 flights in the U.S. have already been canceled for the coming days, further complicating the return of House members. On Sunday, the Senate vote was stalled for hours waiting for Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, whose vote was crucial to meet the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the bill. Cornyn was held up due to flight delays.
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