House Speaker Cancels Weeks of Voting, Chamber Returns After 2-Month Absence as Government Shutdown Nears End.
The House of Representatives is set to reconvene on Wednesday for the first time in nearly two months, bringing an end to its longest absence in recent memory. The chamber's lengthy break was sparked by a Republican-led measure that passed on September 19, but ultimately stalled due to Senate Democratic opposition.
House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled weeks of votes and put committee hearings on hold, citing the need for lawmakers to "make up" for lost time after being out of session for nearly two months. However, this move has fueled criticism from Democrats, who have repeatedly called on Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat elected to her late father's seat in Arizona.
Grijalva will be the final signature on a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move has been backed by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, with the goal of embarrassing President Trump.
Johnson's decision to resist swearing in Grijalva was seen as an attempt to delay a vote on this issue, which could potentially embarrass President Trump. Additionally, some Republicans have criticized Johnson for keeping members away from Washington during the shutdown.
With the Senate deal set to be voted on, House Republicans can afford to lose only two votes if all members are present and voting. However, lawmakers may face travel disruptions due to the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration staffing issues caused by the shutdown.
The chamber's return comes with several pressing issues still unresolved, including the expiring health care subsidies and an extension of the tax credits that expire at the end of the year. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated plans to consider a discharge petition on these issues, potentially forcing a vote that could impact millions of Americans.
The House's return is seen as a significant development in the ongoing government shutdown, which appears to be nearing its end. With President Trump's backing of the Senate deal, Johnson will need to keep his often-divided conference together if he hopes to pass the legislation on Wednesday.
The House of Representatives is set to reconvene on Wednesday for the first time in nearly two months, bringing an end to its longest absence in recent memory. The chamber's lengthy break was sparked by a Republican-led measure that passed on September 19, but ultimately stalled due to Senate Democratic opposition.
House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled weeks of votes and put committee hearings on hold, citing the need for lawmakers to "make up" for lost time after being out of session for nearly two months. However, this move has fueled criticism from Democrats, who have repeatedly called on Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat elected to her late father's seat in Arizona.
Grijalva will be the final signature on a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move has been backed by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, with the goal of embarrassing President Trump.
Johnson's decision to resist swearing in Grijalva was seen as an attempt to delay a vote on this issue, which could potentially embarrass President Trump. Additionally, some Republicans have criticized Johnson for keeping members away from Washington during the shutdown.
With the Senate deal set to be voted on, House Republicans can afford to lose only two votes if all members are present and voting. However, lawmakers may face travel disruptions due to the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration staffing issues caused by the shutdown.
The chamber's return comes with several pressing issues still unresolved, including the expiring health care subsidies and an extension of the tax credits that expire at the end of the year. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated plans to consider a discharge petition on these issues, potentially forcing a vote that could impact millions of Americans.
The House's return is seen as a significant development in the ongoing government shutdown, which appears to be nearing its end. With President Trump's backing of the Senate deal, Johnson will need to keep his often-divided conference together if he hopes to pass the legislation on Wednesday.
The drama at the House of Reps is getting real! Cancelling weeks of votes and putting hearings on hold? That's just delaying the inevitable 
. And honestly, I'm low-key excited that Grijalva is finally going to get sworn in - she needs to be there for those files on Jeffrey Epstein 
. The whole thing feels like a power play between Johnson and Trump, but at the end of the day, it's just gonna make things more complicated for regular Americans trying to navigate these healthcare subs and tax credits 
. Can we just get some actual progress done here? 
. Can't they just get along and make some decisions already? 
I mean, come on, a 2-month break and now they're all like "oh no, we need to catch up"? 
what if they don't get passed? 
I'm not sure about this move by House Speaker Mike Johnson, it seems like he's trying to buy some time but at what cost? Putting committee hearings on hold and cancelling weeks of votes is a pretty big deal, especially when you consider that lawmakers were out of session for nearly two months. I think Democrats have a point in calling him out for not swearing in Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva yet, it's about accountability and representation.
. I'm just worried that this shutdown is going to cause a lot of disruption for people who rely on the government services, like travel or healthcare. We need some real solutions here, not just politics as usual 
. But can they actually get anything done with such a divided conference? Time will tell 
.
. I don't get why they can't just pass the Senate deal already, it's been out there for a while 
The show must go on... or in this case, Congress has to get back to work 
! It's like the saying goes: "Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends" - Theodore Roosevelt 
. Can't wait to see how this plays out...
I hope the House Minority Leader's plan to consider a discharge petition will actually lead to some progress.
. And with all these pressing issues still unresolved, it's going to be a long week. The healthcare subsidies are expiring and people need answers ASAP 
u cant believe this... mike johnson just cancelled all votes and hes gonna try 2 delay grijalva being sworn in so trump dont get embarrassed 
and meanwhile, the senate deal might not even matter if johnson can't keep his own house in order 
Unbelievable!