House Members Reflect on Nation’s Longest Shutdown, Saying ‘We Were Gone Too Long’
Following the recent government shutdown, members of the House of Representatives reflected on the lengthy interruption, which lasted over seven weeks. They had a brief session on November 12, after a hiatus of 54 days, marking their first legislative activity since the mid-September vote on a continuing resolution.
House Members Discuss Longest Shutdown
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) allowed House members to leave after the initial vote. During the shutdown, he stated that the House had fulfilled its duties and would reconvene when circumstances permitted.
In a session filled with tension, House members returned to work, leading to remarks about their extended absence. “Long time, no see. I hardly recognize you guys,” commented House Rules Committee member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). His frustration reflected a broader sentiment among Democrats, who criticized Republicans for being absent during critical times.
Republican Responses to Shutdown Impact
Several Republican representatives acknowledged the criticism. Some, like Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), noted the isolation felt during the shutdown. He used the time to engage in discussions with Democrats about extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which were central to the budget impasse. “If the entire House was here, we could have facilitated more consensus building,” Kiley remarked.
Others, including Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), found value in the time spent in their districts. Alford stated that visits to rural hospitals and local businesses helped him understand constituents’ needs more clearly. He described this downtime as productive.
Democratic Criticism and Calls for Accountability
Meanwhile, House Democrats expressed their dissatisfaction with the leadership’s decision to adjourn. Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas) criticized Speaker Johnson’s judgment, describing the situation as disrespectful to the House. Moreover, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) highlighted that a significant amount of legislative business had been neglected during the shutdown, including not swearing in recently elected members.
Despite the turbulent atmosphere, Johnson did eventually swear in Adelita Grijalva, who had been waiting for her seat since mid-September. Johnson acknowledged the delay but assured that she would not miss any votes due to the hold-up.
Looking Ahead
As they move forward, many members recognize that another budget deadline looms at the end of January. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) emphasized the importance of addressing upcoming spending bills to avoid repeating the turmoil experienced during the shutdown. “We were gone far too long,” he stated, reflecting the broader urgency among lawmakers to re-establish a sense of accountability and functionality within Congress.
- Duration of shutdown: 54 days
- First legislative session after shutdown: November 12
- Key Representative comments:
- Mike Johnson: “The House did its job.”
- Kevin Kiley: “This has not been the finest hour…”
- Steve Womack: “We were gone far too long.”
The discussions and reflections following the shutdown suggest a need for Congress to improve its responsiveness and accountability to the American public, as members prepare to tackle forthcoming legislative challenges.
