House Democrats on Thursday suggested Republican leaders purposely altered the legislative schedule to prevent eight Democratic lawmakers from attending the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the group was scheduled to fly out tonight but had to cancel because House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called for votes on Friday.
“Whether wittingly or unwittingly, it certainly was not a priority to them,” Pelosi said of the Republicans. “The two votes we are taking tomorrow could easily be taken today. So it’s unfortunate.”
The House is scheduled to vote Friday on a five-day extension of government funding. Current funding runs out Friday at midnight, and a partial government shutdown would happen without congressional action.
The Senate passed the extension on Thursday. Both parties are negotiating a long-term measure but are hung up on policy riders, including a bid by Republicans to end the ban on crude oil exports, which Democrats oppose.
Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., said questioned the GOP’s motives, noting many in the party do not support the recommendations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change.
“We are on the side of nearly 200 nations on the face of the Earth that believe something has to be done and Republicans have found a way to stop us from going there,” Israel said. “Whether that was their intent is irrelevant.”
The climate conference concludes on Friday.
