House Shelves Vets Bill After GOP Reps Have ‘Unhinged’ Argument In Mike Johnson’s Office

The House of Representatives postponed a vote on a veterans bill Thursday after a few Republicans clashed with supporters of the measure and voted with Democrats to make major revisions to the bill.

Republican Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Max Miller of Ohio and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey voted with Democrats on a motion to recommit, which would have sent the legislation back to committee with instructions and allowed for another vote at a later date. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other House Republicans reportedly had a heated discussion in Johnson’s ceremonial office with Luna and other holdouts as leadership tried to whip their support, according to Politico.

The measure would expand benefits for hundreds of thousands of veterans, but includes cuts to some future disability claims such as tinnitus and sleep apnea cases. Many Republicans, such as Luna, expressed concerns about cutting some benefits to fund others included in the legislation.

The speaker told holdouts they were misinformed about the bill, and Republican Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn reportedly snapped at Luna, demanding she listen to their arguments. Johnson said the measure would be delayed for several weeks while leadership considered next steps.

Johnson’s and Miller’s offices did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Republicans barely defeated the motion to recommit in a 211 to 210 vote.

Luna said an “unhinged meltdown” took place in Johnson’s office.

“As a vet, but more importantly as someone who represents a veteran heavy district, I will NEVER vote to cut veteran benefits nor will I vote to prevent current service members from filing claims in the future,” Luna said. “Today, I was put in the center of an unhinged meltdown and was told to ‘stop talking’ because I pointed out how stupid it is to cut veterans benefits. Other Republicans AND many vet orgs to include