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Jimmy Williams
House Republican leaders have decided to cancel next week’s work session, sending lawmakers home for a six-week summer recess. This decision leaves them with little to show for their efforts as they approach the final months before the upcoming election.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and his leadership team had aimed to pass all 12 government funding bills before the August recess to set the stage for negotiations with the Democratic-led Senate and avoid a government shutdown. However, with the House not set to return until Sept. 9, only three weeks remain to avert a shutdown before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
Legislative Progress and Challenges
The House has passed only five of the 12 necessary funding bills, including one focused on the Department of Interior, but three others were pulled due to intraparty disagreements within the GOP’s slim majority. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., commented on the situation: “They can’t pass their own bills. They haven’t been able to pass their own bills all Congress. This is nothing new.”
To keep the government running, a stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), is likely to be needed. This temporary measure would buy time for more comprehensive negotiations.
Bipartisan Condemnation and GOP Messaging
In their final vote before recess, House Republicans passed a nonbinding bill condemning Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of border security, with a few vulnerable Democrats joining the vote. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized the GOP’s performance, stating, “They are incapable of governing.”
Significant Legislation and GOP Accomplishments
Despite the current legislative struggles, the GOP has achieved some notable successes this year. These include a $95.3 billion emergency supplemental package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as legislation potentially banning TikTok in the U.S. after the election. Johnson also secured the renewal of the Section 702 surveillance program and helped pass a $78 billion tax package, though it remains stalled in the Senate.
Future Outlook and Upcoming Legislation
Athina Lawson, a spokesperson for Speaker Johnson, highlighted the House’s progress on appropriations bills, noting that they have advanced more than the Senate. However, some Republicans, like GOP Policy Chairman Gary Palmer, R-Ala., expressed disappointment that more wasn’t accomplished sooner.
Looking ahead, the Senate is poised to pass bipartisan bills aimed at protecting children online. With the House now on recess, these bills will not be addressed until September at the earliest, possibly even after the November election. Johnson has shown support for the children’s privacy bills, indicating a willingness to work through details to get them passed.
Democratic Criticism and Election Implications
As lawmakers left for recess, Democrats, including some facing tough re-election bids, echoed Jeffries’ criticism of GOP dysfunction. Freshman Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., voiced concerns over the Republicans’ legislative priorities and their focus on partisan attacks rather than substantial governance.
“The American people know it, they feel it. And this type of chaos is just not gonna stand,” Scholten remarked.
Goldman added, “The Republicans spent the majority of this Congress on a completely bogus impeachment investigation of President Biden where they found no evidence of wrongdoing… It is the only thing that they can actually get passed.”
As the recess begins, the legislative outlook remains uncertain, with significant work left to address government funding, the farm bill, and immigration reform when lawmakers return in September.
