Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) objected to the third attempt by Democrats in the past week to clear a $19.1 billion package providing funds for disaster-stricken areas by unanimous consent.
House members left Washington last Thursday for the Memorial Day recess and won't be back until Monday. Democrats tried to clear the bill during pro forma sessions with few lawmakers present last Friday and on Tuesday, but were met with objections from conservative Republicans who demanded a roll call vote.
"Our nation is $22 trillion in debt, trying to pass nearly $20 billion in new spending while the majority of Congress is not even in Washington," Rose said, calling the attempt to pass the disaster aid package by unanimous consent "another act of irresponsible big government."
The disaster aid measure is expected to pass once Democrats put it to a roll call vote on Monday.