U.S. President Donald Trump winks at House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, from Minnesota, while being applauded after signing the "Genius Act", in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/
The House of Representatives has set records in the 119th Congress for being among the most "do nothing" sessions in history, according to critics. Now they're canceling the last two weeks of session in September.
The term “Do-Nothing Congress” originated with the 80th Congress, which served from 1947 to 1949. President Harry Truman used the phrase during his 1948 reelection campaign to attack the Republican-controlled Congress for blocking much of his domestic agenda, particularly when it came to proposals involving housing, prices, labor and civil rights. At that point, there were hundreds of bills that passed through the 80th Congress.
In 2026, Congress passed 30 public laws. Collectively, for the full session, they've passed 103 laws. As of Sept. 3, only 64 of those bills have actually become laws. The only Congress worse than the 119th was the first session of the 118th Congress in 2023. Controlled by Republicans, the House passed only 34 bills. The Republican-led Congress in 2013 was also extremely low, with fewer than 60 votes passed. The House, Senate and White House are all controlled by Republicans.
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Ma.), the Democratic Whip, noted that the House GOP made the change to the schedule, pausing votes until approximately 6:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Sept. 14. "Members are advised that votes are no longer expected in the House the week of September 21 and Sept 28," she said in a release. "Pending Senate adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 113, votes are possible in the House during the weeks of September 21 and September 28, 2026. Members will receive 48 hours' notice prior to any potential voters in the House." She explained that this is a change from the previous schedule.
States News reporter Jenniffer Shutt noted that this extends "the pre-election campaign break to seven weeks."
Deputy chief of staff to Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Aaron Fritschner, said on BlueSky, "The last votes in the House before the midterm, if they adhere to the current schedule, will be two weeks from today. We're also out next week."
Politico's Meridith Lee Hill explained, "That means members are set to depart no later than Sept. 17 and not return until mid-November.
One person commented, "It's honestly telling how many in the comments think this is bad news[.] This is literally the GOP House Majority signaling: they are terrified [and] are basically giving up."
Yahoo Sports Reporter Ross Dellenger noted, "This impacts the Protect College Sports Act. The House, originally scheduled to be in session for four weeks in September, is now scheduled for just two. This means the House would not consider the congressional bill until it returns in mid-November — if it passes the Senate."
"This Republican majority almost certainly holds the record for the most floor time lost in modern congressional history. It is a historically dysfunctional majority. The only recent saving grace is MGP & Golden throwing Johnson a lifeline for no good political reason," said attorney Blake Allen.
"The French legislature is looking at Mike Johnson and thinking s—— is this much vacation allowed?" ex-Republican Tim Miller of The Bulwark wrote on X.
"House lawmakers will never defeat the not working allegations," NOTUS reporter Oriana González wrote.
"Crazy how Republicans claim that 'nobody wants to work anymore,' and oppose paid leave social safety nets, but then work as little as possible while getting a taxpayer-funded paycheck and healthcare," quipped Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health.