Punishing their own but passing few laws, a Congress in chaos leaves much to do in 2024
This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker who vowed to “never quit,” and then did just that
By LISA MASCARO
Published - Dec 22, 2023, 12:10 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 22, 2023, 12:10 AM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker, a Republican who vowed to “never quit,” and then did just that.
House lawmakers proceeded not only to oust the GOP speaker, they also punished their own colleagues with censures and expulsion, launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and were barely able to conduct the basics of governing by keeping federal offices from shuttering.
“This fall has been a very actively stupid political environment,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, the bow-tie-wearing Republican from North Carolina, who emerged as a voice of reason as the interim House speaker leading the chamber during the upheaval.
