In the latest chapter of the Florida Republicans’ pushback against the new federal health-care legislation, the House Rules & Calendar Council met Thursday to discuss a proposed amendment to the state Constitution.

But, even though the measure has more than half of the House members listed as co-sponsors, it sputtered and stalled.

With both chambers of the Legislature passing their initial budgets last week, the House spent early Tuesday evening paving the way to meet with the Senate in conference to hammer out a final budget.

Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said the House was following “a procedural roadmap” that would pave the way for conferencing with the Senate.

“This will get us into a conference posture,” he said.

That line was echoed several times as the House took up a number of bills from the Senate and quickly passed them with almost no debate.

Florida’s House Republicans caucused Wednesday night and expressed concern about the budget and how the budget process will shape the entire session.

The grim mood was obvious from the start.

Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, offered the opening prayer with references to “this difficult budgetary time” and this “austere time.”

Remarks from Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, extended the somber tone.