 The House defeated a $7 billion appropriations bill for the legislative branch. It was a surprise misstep for the House majority. And it's an ominous sign for Republicans to pass the rest of their fiscal 2025 spending bills on the floor before the August recess. Seven of the bills are far more politically divisive. Ten Republicans joined Democrats to tank the legislation. A longstanding and contentious freeze over a cost-of-living pay raise for members of Congress, in addition to concerns about higher spending, contributed to GOP dissent.