Congress Adjourns for Campaign Season After Tumultuous and Unproductive Session
As lawmakers head back to their districts for the campaign season, Congress concludes one of its most chaotic and unproductive legislative sessions in modern history. With the November elections approaching, lawmakers, particularly House Republicans, are trying to persuade voters to keep them in office despite their failure to deliver significant legislative achievements.
House Republicans Lead the Tumult
The tumult began with the House Republicans, who engaged in a bitter public feud to elect a Speaker, only to later oust him from office—an unprecedented event. Meanwhile, the Senate, though not as visibly divided, moved sluggishly through a modest agenda, contributing to the overall gridlock.
The lack of significant legislative accomplishments has set the stage for a volatile and uncertain November election, with control of Congress hanging in the balance.
GOP Faces Accountability Amid Unmet Promises
House Republicans blocked key Biden-Harris priorities and hindered their own agenda. With voters demanding accountability, the GOP finds itself in a tough spot as it tries to defend its slim majority. The “Commitment to America” plan, introduced two years ago, has largely failed to materialize.
Rep. Ryan Zinke, a former Trump administration Cabinet member now seeking re-election in Montana, remarked on the lack of progress: “The good thing is Congress didn’t allow much to go through law, but it didn’t reach its potential either.”
Despite these setbacks, new House Speaker Mike Johnson remains hopeful. He believes Republicans can not only maintain control but expand their majority. However, it has been a challenging year for him, with former Speaker Newt Gingrich describing Johnson’s struggle to lead as “almost impossible,” given the slim four-seat majority and internal divisions.
Inaction in Congress
The session has seen far fewer bills passed than usual, making it one of the least productive in recent history. After a brief three-week September session, lawmakers punted the crucial task of funding the government until December, narrowly avoiding a shutdown before leaving town early due to a looming hurricane.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the House Republicans’ inaction, asking, “Can anyone in America name a single thing that House Republicans have done on their own to make life better for the American people? The answer is no.”
Republicans on the Defensive
Many Republicans running for re-election focus on individual efforts rather than the party’s collective accomplishments. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) plans to emphasize his work on constituent services and his voting record. “I don’t know if you’re going to judge an individual member on how the body does collectively,” he said. “That is apples to apricots.”
Other Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), point to their role as a “firewall” against spending. “What we’ve been able to stop is very significant,” Garcia said, adding that while they may not have passed everything, they’ve set a template for addressing issues like the economy, national security, and border control.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), facing a competitive race, highlighted his efforts to secure infrastructure funding for his district. He also pointed to his successful bill directing the U.S. Secret Service to provide the same protections to major party presidential nominees as it does to the president.
Senate’s Role in the Gridlock
While the House has been the focus of much criticism, Senate Republicans argue that the Senate has also stalled. Under Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate has confirmed several judicial nominees. Still, it has not made headway on other significant priorities.
One significant bipartisan effort to update immigration laws and secure the U.S.-Mexico border collapsed after former President Trump declined to support it. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the frustration, noting that appropriations bills and a farm bill reauthorization have stalled.
Looking Ahead
As the Capitol emptied for the campaign season, Republicans briefly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Contract with America, a milestone that once brought their party to power. However, the current GOP majority seems far from the success of those days. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), one of the Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, summed up the current sentiment: “Not wrecking the country any further. We don’t need any more laws.”
With Congress set to return in mid-November, the weight of unresolved debates and legislative tasks looms large, shaping the volatile political landscape as campaign season takes center stage.