The U. S. House on Monday canceled all votes this week, despite a looming government shutdown, after the death of former President George H. W. Bush.<\/b>
\nDec. 3 (UPI) — The U. S. House on Monday canceled all votes this week, despite a looming government shutdown, after the death of former President George H. W. Bush.
\u00ab\u00a0Members are advised that — in light of the passing of President George H. W. Bush — votes are no longer expected in the House this week,\u00a0\u00bb the office of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said. \u00ab\u00a0Next votes in the House are planned for Monday, December 10.\u00a0\u00bb
Bush, who died Friday, will lie in state Monday evening in the Capitol Rotunda.
President Donald Trump and leading Democratic members of Congress were scheduled to meet on Tuesday in the White House, but the meeting was also canceled.
Government funding for the national flood insurance program will expire by the end of the week. A stopgap extension has been proposed, but Republican and Democratic House members have not agreed on its duration. With the delay, a two-week extension, favored by Republicans, will likely be approved.
All spending negotiations will be suspended until Trump meets with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. That meeting will likely occur on Dec. 11, Politico reported .
Six of seven major categories in the spending bill have essentially been resolved, with Trump’s insistence on $5 billion in funding for a border wall the final sticking point.
Former first lady Michelle Obama also changed plans in the wake of Bush’s death. On Sunday she announced that two stops on a tour promoting her memoir will be canceled so she can attend ceremonies honoring the former president.
\u00ab\u00a0It’s important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H. W. Bush’s exemplary life,\u00a0\u00bb Obama wrote. \u00ab\u00a0This will unfortunately preclude my visits to Paris and Berlin.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n