Back-to-back snow storms put Congress on ice

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Tuesday postponed further action on legislation until later this month as the capital city braced for a second major snowstorm in less than a week.

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said flight cancellations made it difficult for House members to get into the snowbound city and leaders decided to put off scheduled votes until the week of February 22 when Congress returns from a week-long break for the Presidents' Day holiday.

"Members are unable to get here because the airlines are reluctant to fly here, they are reluctant to get their planes on the ground and get caught here," Hoyer told reporters.

Weather forecasters are predicting the area could get another 12 inches of snow just days after a blizzard dumped up to 3 feet in some areas.

The House had been scheduled to vote this week on legislation that would repeal the antitrust exemption for health insurers. Hoyer said that vote will now take place the week lawmakers return from their break.

Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held out hope that the Senate would complete work on a major jobs-creation bill before leaving for the week-long Presidents Day break.

But Reid said the Senate may not be in session on Wednesday when the latest snow storm is expected to be in full fury.

Many people in the region are still trying to dig out from the weekend storm and many streets are still covered with snow.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Vicki Allen)