House Returns, But Only for a Week

The House of Representatives returned to Washington after a long break, but only for a short time. The Senate won’t return until later in September. The first day of school is not this. House members are coming to the Capitol, then leaving for Labor Day. It’s like the third preseason game in the NFL. Fans don’t care much anymore. The same is happening in Congress. Most of the business for the year is done. The GOP’s “Reconciliation 3.0” is not getting much attention. Lawmakers are preparing for the midterm elections.

Attendance Drops as Members Leave

On the first day, 384 members were present for a non-controversial vote. The next day, 388 members were there. But attendance could drop if the House returns in mid-September. Some members are considering resigning early. This could affect the narrow Republican majority. The House is waiting for the regular season to begin. That means the midterm elections in November. Most members don’t want to stay in Washington now. They want to go back to their districts to campaign.

Republicans Plan a “Gotcha” Vote

Republicans plan to vote on a resolution that forces Democrats to take a stand on socialism. The GOP wants to see where Democrats stand on progressive policies. The resolution includes the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voting. Most Democrats oppose it. If Democrats vote no, Republicans will use that against them in campaign ads. Some Democrats might support the resolution to distance themselves from socialist policies. But the resolution could also force them to vote against it.

Controversial Cases in the House

The House may also vote on censuring Rep. Chuck Edwards, who admitted to inappropriate conduct. There could be an effort to expel Rep. Cory Mills, who faces allegations of financial misconduct and assault. Mills lost his primary but is still running. Rep. Max Miller faces allegations of spousal and child abuse. Republicans have urged him to drop his bid, but he refuses. Speaker Mike Johnson supports Miller’s re-election. He says the House shouldn’t act until the Ethics Committee finishes its inquiry.

Republicans Want to Leave Before the Midterms

It’s unclear what the Senate will do when it returns. But House Republicans are focused on keeping their majority in November. Recessing before the election could be the safest move. Don’t be surprised if the House leaves Washington until November. It’s not impossible. Members are already thinking about leaving. The House is in a familiar phase. The process has entered a familiar phase. The matter has reached another stage. The discussion returns to a familiar question. The regular season is coming. Everyone is waiting for it.