House cancels October votes, heads home to campaign

House Republicans announced Friday they were canceling all votes for October and leaving for home, recessing with two weeks left on their October schedule to provide candidates with more time to campaign before the midterm elections.

The announcement, widely expected and typical of the House in an election year, came from Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). He said the House would reconvene again on Nov. 13. 

{mosads}The change in plans comes as House Republicans, who are defending dozens of vulnerable seats this cycle, have been anxious to get back on the campaign trail this fall. 

This week, lawmakers wrapped up work on a number of major pieces of legislation — including a package to keep the government open — as well as passed a spate of GOP messaging bills this week. 

But lawmakers did not come to an agreement on a farm bill to reauthorize the nation’s food and agriculture programs, which expire Sept. 30, meaning they will likely lapse.