

New Yorkers celebrate in Times Square after the death of Osama bin Laden was announced by President Obama. ( Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The House will not hold a vote on a resolution honoring U.S. troops and the intelligence community on the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, the number-two House Republican said Tuesday.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said that House Republican leaders had been considering a symbolic resolution honoring the Navy SEALS and others involved in the bin Laden raid but that they had decided against one in an effort to keep in line with their new rules prohibiting commemorative measures.

“We considered that last week, and we deal with the rules that we’ve put in place in the House, and we’ve said since we assumed the majority that we want to be substantive and meaningful,” Cantor told reporters at his weekly roundtable.

He added that the House leadership ultimately decided that the best way to honor those involved in the mission was to approve the fiscal year 2011 intelligence bill that is on the floor this week.

“We also understand the large impact that was gained by the intelligence community and the SEALS’ activity in Pakistan and, obviously, it’s worthy of our support,” Cantor said. “And so, we believe that the best way to express that support and extend congratulations is in the context of the intel bill.”

Soon after retaking the majority in January, House Republicans passed a new rules package that included a prohibition against commemorative measures -- including those honoring local sports teams or holidays such as “National Pi Day” -- noting that one-third of all bills considered during the 111th Congress were commemorative in nature.

The Senate, which has not instituted such a rules change, passed a symbolic resolution earlier this month honoring those involved in the successful strike on bin Laden’s compound. The measure also praised President Obama and former president George W. Bush for their leadership in pursuing the al-Qaeda leader.