The government shutdown is stretching into its third week with lawmakers not even close to a funding deal. Meanwhile, many of Congress’ other priorities — including on energy and the environment — are languishing on the sidelines.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to keep the House out of session all week, barring an unexpected breakthrough. The Senate returns Tuesday with more planned votes on Democrats’ and Republicans’ failed funding bills and no other items on the agenda.
The impasse over how to reopen federal agencies means a number hearings and markups have been canceled or postponed, and congressional action on full-year spending bills, permitting reform, farm policy and other bipartisan imperatives has grown only harder.
“We’re not in a good mood here in the Capitol,” Johnson told reporters Friday, accusing Democrats of extending the shutdown.
