House GOP Blocks Dem Bill to Pay Troops in Shutdown

House Republicans on Friday blocked a push from Democrats to pass legislation ensuring active-duty military members are paid during the ongoing government shutdown.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., presiding over a brief pro forma session, gaveled it closed before Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., could move to pass the measure by unanimous consent, reports Politico.

Bost later told reporters he stopped the effort because the House was only in a “perfunctory” session, and he was “representing the speaker.”