Rep. Jackson tries to adjourn House to prompt budget talks

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Wednesday put forward a motion to adjourn the House shortly after noon in order to force the two parties to negotiate a FY 2011 budget agreement. Jackson also protested a Republican proposal to pass a one-week spending measure that would cut $12 billion from the budget while funding Defense spending for the rest of the year.

“That’s no compromise,” he said. “For months, the Republicans have said that as we reduce spending, everyone has to take a haircut — including the Department of Defense. But now, the Republicans propose increasing military spending.”

Jackson cited a press report saying Republicans were cheering the prospects of a government shutdown.

“So if the Republicans won’t compromise at the negotiating table, maybe we should get everyone down here to the floor to talk things over,” he concluded. “Mr. Speaker, I move that the house do now adjourn.”

Jackson requested a recorded vote at about 12:30 p.m., but it failed 36-367. All 36 “yes” votes came from Democrats, and 141 Democrats voted with Republicans not to adjourn the House.

—This post was updated at 12:55 to reflect the vote results.