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House cancels all votes this week after death of former President Bush

By Ed Adamczyk
A military honor guard leaves the tarmac Monday after the casket of former President George H. W. Bush was put on a plane at Ellington Field in Houston for a trip to Washington, D.C. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI
A military honor guard leaves the tarmac Monday after the casket of former President George H. W. Bush was put on a plane at Ellington Field in Houston for a trip to Washington, D.C. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. House on Monday canceled all votes this week, despite a looming government shutdown, after the death of former President George H.W. Bush.

"Members are advised that -- in light of the passing of President George H.W. Bush -- votes are no longer expected in the House this week," the office of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said. "Next votes in the House are planned for Monday, December 10."

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Bush, who died Friday, will lie in state Monday evening in the Capitol Rotunda.

President Donald Trump and leading Democratic members of Congress were scheduled to meet on Tuesday in the White House, but the meeting was also canceled.

Government funding for the national flood insurance program will expire by the end of the week. A stopgap extension has been proposed, but Republican and Democratic House members have not agreed on its duration. With the delay, a two-week extension, favored by Republicans, will likely be approved.

All spending negotiations will be suspended until Trump meets with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. That meeting will likely occur on Dec. 11, Politico reported.

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Six of seven major categories in the spending bill have essentially been resolved, with Trump's insistence on $5 billion in funding for a border wall the final sticking point.

Former first lady Michelle Obama also changed plans in the wake of Bush's death. On Sunday she announced that two stops on a tour promoting her memoir will be canceled so she can attend ceremonies honoring the former president.

"It's important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H.W. Bush's exemplary life," Obama wrote. "This will unfortunately preclude my visits to Paris and Berlin."

Former President George H.W. Bush's career in photos

Former President George H.W. Bush's career in photos
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