The House was unable to pass a procedural rule Tuesday that would have led to consideration of the defense appropriations bill. Rules are typically approved on party-line votes, but five hard-right Republicans joined Democrats to bring the rule down.

“They just handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party as a result of this vote,” Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) said of his party’s five no votes, according to Politico. Garcia is on the defense appropriations subcommittee.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also had to cancel a procedural vote on a 30-day stopgap bill because there didn’t seem to be enough support. Punchbowl News reported on the intraparty turmoil and the House’s limited options to avoid a government shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he was watching to see what the House would produce to continue federal spending beyond Sept. 30.

“I think all of you know I’m not a fan of government shutdowns. I’ve seen a few of them over the years, they never have produced a policy change and they’ve always been a loser for Republicans, politically,” he told reporters, as The Hill reported.

Air Force photo of Rep. Garcia by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys