House Democrats defeated a bill that combines an extension for the Federal Aviation Administration with flood insurance reform and tax relief for flood victims in Florida and Texas.

The bill failed under special rules that require two-thirds support for passage, rather than a simple majority. The vote was 245 -171.

Republicans will have to reconsider the legislation under regular order some time this week.

Democrats opposed it because they objected to the flood reform provision and because they believed the hurricane resources were too meager.

The package excluded any funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, which were devastated by recent hurricanes.

"Is this bill perfect? No," Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., said. "We need to do more. This is an important first step."

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., led the opposition for the Democrats.

"Much more needs to be done to address the needs of Americans recovering from hurricanes and other natural disasters," Pelosi said. "The weak tax provisions added to this package don't treat all families recovering from natural disasters the same. All Americans, no matter where they live, deserve the same relief and resources they need to rebuild their lives."

Pelosi also demanded action on a bill to legalize young people who arrived in the United States illegally as children.

The FAA bill must be reauthorized or extended by a Sept. 30 deadline.

The legislation blocked by Democrats would extend the law for six months in order to give more time to Republicans who are at odds over how to modernize the FAA.

Some House Republicans back a bill that would spin off air traffic controllers to an independent board, but other Republicans and most Democrats oppose that plan.

The flood insurance provision also drew opposition.

Authored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, it would open the National Flood Insurance Program to some privatization, which Hensarling said would save money and help get taxpayers off the hook for the insolvent program, which currently owes $25 billion to the U.S. Treasury.

"If we had a real competitive market with a multiple of companies advertising and selling multiple policies, more people would become educated about the need for flood insurance and have that rolled into their normal home owner's policy," Hensarling said. "As folks begin to rebuild, let's get them more affordable flood insurance policies."

But opponents of privatization say it will allow private companies to cherry-pick low risk property owners and leave others with sky-high insurance premiums.

"I just don't think this is the moment to be discussing flood insurance," Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.,, said.