The House came in for a brief pro forma session Tuesday afternoon, attempting once again to pass the $19.1 billion disaster assistance bill the Senate (finally) passed last week and which Donald Trump (finally) agreed to sign. Once again, an asshole Republican congressman blocked it.
Last week, it was Texas Rep. Chip Roy. Apparently wanting to spread the villainy around a bit, on Tuesday it was Kentucky maniac Rep. Tom Massie who objected to the unanimous consent request made by Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop from Georgia. Massey blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, because that's the kind of thing they do. "If Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi considered this must-pass legislation, why did she send everybody home on recess for 10 days without voting on it?" Massie whined.
The move didn't go over well with fellow Republicans, some of whom stuck their necks out to vote the package through in the Senate, and some of whom need the money delivered to their disaster-stricken states, particularly those who are on the ballot in 2020. That includes Rep. Austin Scott from Georgia, who tweeted that "Unfortunately, more clowns showed up today to once again delay disaster relief for the states and farmers devastated by the storms of 2018.” He later chickened out and deleted the tweet. (Too late, sucker! The internet never forgets.)
Sen. David Perdue, also from Georgia and also running in 2020, blasted Massie and so far has kept his tweet alive. "This is yet another example of politicians putting their own self-interest ahead of the national interest," he fumed. "It's pathetic that some members have chosen this moment to grandstand & get into the national headlines."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said they'll try again on Thursday, during the next pro forma session, to get the bill passed.