Republican unity splintered in the House this week, as two bills backed by the party’s leadership failed. Republican congressmen say their leaders must do a better job guiding members, as more conflict may lie ahead over the budget,
The Hill reports.
The two bills that failed this week were an extension of the Patriot Act and a demand of repayments from the United Nations. House Speaker John Boehner says that in trying to “get off to a fast start,” party leaders had to move legislation that hadn’t gone through committees, which take time to organize.
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, says leaders are still adjusting to their new responsibilities.
“I think it’s pretty apparent that we have a brand-new group of people — some 87 new freshmen,” he says. “There’s a lot of spade work that needs to go on, and we can always be a little bit stronger and better.”