House on Pause: When Leadership Takes a Backseat

The House of Representatives has been on a break for over a month. No policy debates, no votes, and no oversight hearings. Speaker Mike Johnson decided to put everything on hold. This is not just a short break. It's been going on for weeks. And it's happening while the government is shut down. Johnson says the House doesn't need to meet because the Senate Democrats are blocking a bill to reopen the government. He also refuses to swear in a newly elected Democrat, Adelita Grijalva. He claims he doesn't have the power to do so. But many people disagree with him. Johnson's strategy is to keep the House on an extended leave. He believes this is the best way to keep his party in line. But not everyone agrees with this approach. Some Republicans, like Beth Van Duyne and Elise Stefanik, want the House to return to work. They think it's time to take action. Stephen K. Bannon, a former White House adviser, is also critical of Johnson's decision. He believes Johnson is wasting precious time. Bannon thinks the Trump revolution needs to be codified into law. But Johnson refuses to do this. Johnson's spokesman says the House Republicans have passed bills codifying 59 of Trump's executive orders. He also says Johnson is the only congressional leader who has passed a bill to fund the government. But Democrats are not convinced. They think Johnson is just bowing to Trump's wishes. Democrats also accuse Johnson of protecting pedophiles. This is because Grijalva wants to release files on Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, a former friend of Epstein's, opposes this. Johnson's refusal to swear in Grijalva is seen as a way to protect Trump. Johnson's actions have led to a strange dynamic on Capitol Hill. He appears to be using his power to make the House irrelevant. This is a big change from past speakers who tried to work with the president. Johnson seems to be more of an underling than a partner. Johnson's defense of Trump's crude social media posts also shows how much he has changed. In 2015, he wrote on Facebook that he didn't think Trump had the demeanor to be president. But now, he sings his praises.