Heavy storms, flight delays threaten Republicans’ plans for final budget vote

(The Center Square) – Severe thunderstorms are throwing a wrench in Republican leadership’s goal to pass their “one big, beautiful bill” through the U.S. House of Representatives before the July 4 holiday.

As lawmakers race back to Washington, D.C. for a final vote on President Donald Trump’s budget package, heavy storms on the East Coast Tuesday grounded hundreds of flights. This poses a problem for Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., who can only afford to lose a handful of Republicans’ support in a final vote this week and still pass the legislation through the lower chamber.

With Republicans’ razor-thin majority in the House, Democrats are incentivized to get back to D.C. in time for the vote to make it as difficult as possible for Republicans to pass the legislation.

Eight Republicans were absent Wednesday morning in a procedural vote called by Democrats to check attendance, including Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., who was reported to be stuck in St. Louis due to flight delays. 

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., said he drove seven hours back to D.C. Tuesday night after his flight out of South Carolina was cancelled.

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“The moment is too important,” Fry said.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., hosted a virtual town hall with constituents as he made the lengthy drive from Chicago to D.C.

More than 200 flights into Reagan National Airport, Congress’ most used airport, were cancelled or delayed Tuesday after a severe thunderstorm watch was issued. 

Johnson called the weather a “wild card” and said he plans to call a final vote on the budget package Thursday at the latest.