Photo:TOM BRENNER/AFP via Getty
TOM BRENNER/AFP via Getty
The 118th U.S. Congress was historically unproductive in 2023, putting itself on track to enact fewer laws than any of its predecessorsin modern timesamid ongoing chaos in the House of Representatives.
The New York Timesreports that as of Tuesday, the House had only passed 27 bills that became law this year, despite holding a total of 724 votes — a testament to the toll of unprecedented infighting within the House Republican Conference.
Axios, citing data from analytics firm Quorum, notes that even in the first years of the 104th, 112th and 113th Congresses (in which Republicans also controlled the House under a Democratic president) the legislative branch managed to pass between 70 and 73 laws.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks to reporters after revealing his plan to call for a recall of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Oct. 2, 2023.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
The House GOP’s year began on a tumultuous note, even after Republicans narrowlyregained the House majorityin January. From that point on, the party was immediately divided on who to elect as House speaker. The majority party’s leader — at that time,Kevin McCarthy— is generally elected with ease, but far-right membersrefused to support him, resulting inthe first deadlocked House speaker election in more than a century. He was ultimately elected to the role after 15 rounds of voting.
McCarthy’s speakership ended in a similar fashion just months later when, in October, he was ousted from the role in a shocking recall vote. His removal as House speaker came after Freedom Caucus memberMatt Gaetzfiled a “motion to vacate,” which automatically triggered a no-confidence vote against McCarthy. Gaetz’s motion marked the first formal attempt to remove a House speaker in 113 years.
In the end, McCarthy’s ouster did not help House Republicans coalesce around a replacement. Instead, the fractured House GOP again found itself at odds over who to elect as speaker in McCarthy’s stead. Multiple candidates were nominated to replace him, each of whom failed to secure the necessary votes to win and was forced to withdraw from the race.
After weeks of congressional gridlock, Republicans' fourth choice for the role — little-known Louisiana Rep.Mike Johnson, distinguished as one of the House’sstaunchest religious conservatives— emerged as the unlikely unity candidate and became the 56th speaker of the House.
Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty
The inquiry comes at a crucial time for the House, which has not been able to reach a consensus on averting a government shutdown. House members have stalled for nearly a year on passing a majority of appropriation bills to fund the U.S. government, with a deadline of Jan. 19 (when funding for the government will run out) now looming.
source: people.com
