Although an effort to defund the office of Vice President Kamala Harris failed to pass in the House, the voting breakdown exposed her unpopularity with lawmakers.
The rare vote came about as the chamber debated a spending bill with Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) leading the effort to strip the vice president’s office of funding. Though the measure failed to pass, it was telling that 106 Republicans reportedly voted in favor of it.
106 House Republicans voted for @RepMikeCollins‘s amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act that would defund the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris.
It failed 106-322.https://t.co/oZfUZnrm8p pic.twitter.com/BJnu8IhHhe
— bryan metzger (@metzgov) November 8, 2023
The Republican congressman noted on X that on the House floor, “I argued Kamala Harris sucks at securing our border and, therefore, shouldn’t be paid.”
“I’m sure you’ll be shocked, but I just had to debate a Republican on the House floor who was defending funding the Office of the Vice President,” he tweeted ahead of the vote.
I’m sure you’ll be shocked, but I just had to debate a Republican on the House floor who was defending funding the Office of the Vice President. I argued Kamala Harris sucks at securing our border and, therefore, shouldn’t be paid. If my amendment passes, her office will be…
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) November 8, 2023
Democrats were joined by 114 Republicans who voted against the measure.
Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) argued that the amendment was “a bridge too far.”
“We’ve taken steps to send that power of the purse message to the Office of the Vice President,” he said from the chamber floor.
322-106: An amendment to defund Vice President Kamala Harris’ office fails in the House.
114 Republicans voted with Democrats to reject the proposed amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. pic.twitter.com/nDrznNpCyM
— The Recount (@therecount) November 8, 2023
But Collins’ blunt assertion was echoed in his own floor speech where he declared, “Kamala Harris has been a failure as vice president.”
He cited her “inability to manage her team effectively” and “her disastrous job as border czar where she has failed to secure anything.”
“The only thing our vice president has succeeded at is failing us,” Collins continued.
“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the salary or expenses of any officer or employee of the Office of the Vice President,” read the amendment which was defeated in a 322-106 vote and not added to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.
The move, though doomed to fail as it would never have gotten past Democrats, followed a similar attempt against Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to reduce his salary to $1.
“There are a lot of vice presidents I haven’t agreed with. I would have never contemplated offering an amendment to strike their ability to carry out the duties to which they were elected by the American people,” Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer huffed after Collins’ speech. “They’re elected by the people, and they’re entitled to the resources to carry out those duties and responsibilities given to the American people. I hope this amendment is overwhelmingly rejected.”
But many on social media applauded the 106 GOP lawmakers who took a stand.
But, why only 106?
It should be 222?
Wondering why?— Byeol (@Byeol1952) November 9, 2023
JUST NOW: 6 of the 8 TN Republican Reps voted to defund VP Kamala Harris’ office (the amendment failed with 114 Republicans opposing with Dems)
Yes votes: @RepMarkGreen @DesJarlaisTN04 @RepHarshbarger @RepJohnRose @timburchett @AndyOgles pic.twitter.com/KB1EwtP8ks
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) November 8, 2023
I’m just saying, that’s a lot of votes for nothing to be wrong. Something is seriously being misappropriated to be considered for defunding
— Tony (@MindGamesSocial) November 9, 2023