The House of Representatives reconvened briefly this week, marking the end of a prolonged absence that coincided with the government shutdown. While the House was technically out of session, the return on Wednesday brought with it a wave of discontent among its members.
The House Rules Committee gathered earlier in the week in preparation for the full session. The atmosphere was charged, as highlighted by Jim McGovern, the ranking Democrat on the committee, who quipped, “Long time no see. I hardly recognize you guys. Where the hell have you been?” This comment came in response to repeated Democratic jabs at Republicans, accusing them of taking a vacation during the shutdown.
Chairwoman Virginia Foxx countered these claims, expressing her frustration: “I am sick and tired of hearing you all say we had an eight-week vacation.” She emphasized her continuous work during the shutdown, saying, “I worked every day. I don’t know about you.” This exchange underscored the tensions as members returned to Capitol Hill.
Amid the discord, the House had passed a temporary funding measure in September, after which Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed lawmakers. When questioned during the shutdown, Johnson stated, “My quick answer’s very simple. The House did its job,” placing blame on Senate Democratic leaders for the impasse. Despite frequent press briefings by leaders from both parties, legislative activity was at a standstill until the House reconvened after 54 days.
California Republican Kevin Kiley, who frequented his Capitol office during the shutdown, remarked, “It’s a lot more crowded here. You know, the halls have been pretty lonely.” He used the time to collaborate on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, set to expire at year-end. “That was, I guess, one advantage of being here,” Kiley noted, while lamenting the absence of broader legislative efforts.
Conversely, Missouri Republican Mark Alford found the time at home productive. “I got more done in my district than I think in the three years that I’ve been there,” he stated, highlighting visits to local farms, businesses, and hospitals.
Yet, frustration simmered among Democrats over the House’s hiatus. Texas Democrat Julie Johnson criticized the decision as “a ridiculous thing” and expressed discontent with Speaker Johnson’s actions, including the delayed swearing-in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva following her special election victory in September.
Echoing this sentiment, New Mexico Democrat Melanie Stansbury said, “The House has been completely closed and locked out, and there is all manner of legislative business that could have been going on.” Republican Steve Womack of Arkansas shared this frustration, stating, “I didn’t want to go home in August. So to be gone for those five or six weeks and then turn around and do it again in October was just – that’s just more than America should have to put up with.”
Looking ahead, Womack noted the looming deadline, with government funding set to expire again on January 30. “We’re going to be putting Congress on the clock again in another 78, 79 days. We’re going to be right back where we were,” he warned, expressing hope for a different outcome next time.
Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, the Capitol.
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