GOP rep says House should call off August recess

Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) on Wednesday argued that the House should not leave for its August recess at the end of this week.

Instead, Ribble suggested that the House stay and pass its regular appropriations bills to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1.

{mosads}”We are going to home and we are going to spend some time talking with our constituents. I think it’s appropriate,” Ribble said of the five-week break. But, he added, “I also think it’s appropriate for us to get our work done.”

The House has passed seven of the 12 fiscal 2015 appropriations bills. Meanwhile, the Senate has not passed any due to disagreements over amendments.

Ribble said the House should remain in Washington and pass the remaining five appropriations bills.

“We ought to stay here and pass those bills and send them to the Senate,” Ribble said. “This is the people’s House. We ought to be here doing the people’s business for the good of the American people,” Ribble said.

The Wisconsin Republican has introduced a bill that would prevent Congress from recessing for more than 24 hours until it has passed a budget. It has not moved forward, however.

The House is expected to consider a stopgap spending bill to avoid a shutdown when it returns in September.