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The House narrowly voted to end debate on a procedural resolution that prepares the chamber to vote on the federal budget and several energy-related regulations.
This vote was a procedural step regarding House Resolution 161 (H.Res. 161). This resolution acts as a 'rule' that sets the terms for how the House will later debate and vote on three major items: the 2025 federal budget framework, a challenge to Department of Energy efficiency standards for water heaters, and a challenge to EPA fees on methane emissions from oil and gas systems. In the House of Representatives, 'ordering the previous question' is a technical term for ending debate on a rule. If this motion had failed, the minority party would have gained temporary control of the House floor to change the rules of debate. By passing this motion, the majority successfully kept the legislative process moving forward according to their planned schedule. The vote was unusually close and did not follow traditional party lines. Both the Democratic and Republican parties were split internally, with significant numbers of members in each caucus voting both for and against the motion. Because the measure passed, the House can now proceed to a final vote on the rule itself.
The House will now hold a final vote on agreeing to the resolution (H.Res. 161).
OPEN BILL →Democrats. The Democratic caucus was divided, with 114 members voting to end debate and 100 voting against it.
Republicans. The Republican caucus was also split, with a slight majority (111 members) voting against the motion while 108 voted in favor.
On Ordering the Previous Question
Feb 25, 2025
The House narrowly voted to end debate on a procedural resolution that prepares the chamber to vote on the federal budget and several energy-related regulations.
This was a vote to 'order the previous question,' which is the House's way of ending debate on a pending matter. Passing this motion prevents any further changes to the debate rules and forces an immediate vote on the resolution itself.
The House will now hold a final vote on agreeing to the resolution (H.Res. 161).
This was a highly unusual bipartisan vote where both major parties were split, resulting in a razor-thin margin of victory.
The Democratic caucus was divided, with 114 members voting to end debate and 100 voting against it.
The Republican caucus was also split, with a slight majority (111 members) voting against the motion while 108 voted in favor.
The lone independent member voted in favor of the motion.