House

Kucinich-sponsored amendment fails 93-321 but garnered more support than a similar measure in 2010.

The House on Thursday voted to cut federal funding for National Public Radio after two hours of debate in which Democrats accused Republicans of following through on a political grudge against NPR, and Republicans insisted that Congress needs to cut spending by all means possible.

The House approved the bill, H.R. 1076, by a 228-192 vote. Every voting Democrat voted against it, and seven Republicans joined them: Reps. Sean Duffy (Wis.), Chris Gibson (NY), Richard Hanna (NY), Steve LaTourette (Ohio), Dave Reichert (Wash), Patrick Tiberi (Ohio), and Rob Woodall (Ga.).

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who is said to be mulling a challenge to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in next year's Senate race, said Thursday he would vote in favor of a resolution instructing President Obama to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Chaffetz, a Tea Party supporter who has declined to join the Tea Party Caucus, said on the floor that Obama has failed to define the goals of U.S. military activity in Afghanistan, and that he opposes what he sees as nation-building efforts.

After being interrupted by protesters in the House gallery, Chaffetz choked back tears and read the names of a handful of soldiers killed in Afghanistan in his brief remarks Thursday. "I honor them, I thank them," he said.

House Republicans on Thursday were forced to clarify that one of their self-imposed rules, which says legislation will not be considered until it has been publicly available for 72 hours, does in fact allow for bills to be taken up in less than 72 hours in certain circumstances.

The clarification came after Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) raised a point of order saying the House cannot yet consider H.R. 1076, which would end federal funding for NPR. Weiner said that bill was posted on line at 1:42 p.m. on Tuesday, and that the House should not yet be able to take up the bill.

House Democrats on Thursday strenuously objected to Republican efforts to end federal funding for National Public Radio, and argued that if Republicans get to terminate programs they disagree with, Democrats should have the same chance.

House Rules Committee Ranking Member Louise Slaughter (D-NY) said Republicans told her on Wednesday that taxpayers should not have to pay for items they disagree with, a reply she bristled at on Thursday morning.

"Well, that's an interesting theory but democracies don't work that way," Slaughter said. "If they could, my husband and I and two-thirds of people in America would gladly be excused from paying the $8 billion a month that we pay for a war that we profoundly disagree with."

The House and Senate return Thursday to a busy day, culminating in an expected 3 p.m. Senate vote on a three-week spending resolution that the House approved on Tuesday. The Senate will start a three-hour debate on the resolution at noon.

On the House side, members will convene at 9 a.m. and take up H.R. 1076, which would prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio. One hour of debate is scheduled on this bill, and the House will first consider the rule for debating the bill.

After that, the House will consider H.Con.Res. 28, a resolution from Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) calling for the removal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. The House will debate this measure for two hours.

Last votes in the House are expected by 3 p.m.

— This post was updated at 9:03 a.m. to reflect a change in the order of House work.

The House passed a bill Wednesday to end an administration program aimed at rescuing neighborhoods from the foreclosure crisis

Rep. Baca implied on Wednesday that the Republican push to end a federal housing aid program is racially motivated.

The House on Wednesday afternoon approved a a rule for considering two bills that would eliminate federal mortgage aid programs.

The rule was approved by a 241-180 vote, and three Democrats voted with Republicans: Jason Altmire (Pa.), Jay Inslee (Wash.), and Heath Shuler (NC).

Vote on the rule allowed the House to proceed to consideration of H.R. 861, which would rescind $1 billion in funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The House will consider 10 amendments to that bill this afternoon.

The rule also allows consideration of H.R. 839, which would end the Home Affordable Modification Program. The House plans to take up that bill after next week's recess.

House Democrats on Wednesday afternoon argued that Republicans should fix a federal mortgage aid bill rather than repeal it, but Republicans nonetheless were on track to vote on repealing the program by the end of the day.

At issue is H.R. 861, which would prevent another $1 billion from being spent on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which funds the purchase and upkeep of foreclosed homes. This is one of three mortgage programs Republicans have already moved to terminate, and the GOP plans to terminate a fourth later this month.