House lawmakers in Washington adjourned early this week, heading home ahead of the midterm elections despite ongoing concerns over issues such as rising gasoline prices and the risks posed by artificial intelligence. The early dismissal was met with criticism from both parties, who argued that Congress is falling short in addressing key challenges facing the country.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) defended the decision to end the session on Wednesday, saying that an early recess allows Republican candidates to focus on the upcoming November elections. He noted that two weeks of scheduled work for September had already been canceled and said ongoing work could be more effectively pursued by members in their home districts rather than in the Capitol. By his count, Johnson said this Congress has passed more than 900 bills, marking the second most productive session since 1789, though he acknowledged that the Senate has been slow to act on those measures.
So far, 104 laws have been enacted during the current Congress, placing it on track to pass fewer laws than any Congress since the Civil War, according to congressional records. While a crucial short-term funding bill was approved earlier this month, House Republicans have expressed frustration that the Senate, also controlled by Republicans, has stalled key proposals including the SAVE America Act, a high-profile voting laws package championed by former President Donald Trump.
Johnson indicated that if the Senate were to advance legislation, he could quickly reconvene the House, saying he would bring members back with “48 hours’ notice” and keep them in session as long as necessary. He denied speculation that he cut the session short to avoid a potential vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — a move supported by Representative Thomas Massie (R., Ky.), a prominent critic of U.S. military involvement in Iran.
On the issue of suspending the federal gas tax, Johnson said there was no current consensus within the House. Both parties appear to view comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation as a longer-term effort, with Senator John Kennedy (R., La.) expressing frustration at the slow pace of progress. “Right now, Congress can’t pass gas,” Kennedy quipped.
Public approval of Congress remains at historic lows, with repeated shutdowns, legislative impasses, and internal disputes contributing to widespread dissatisfaction. An April Gallup poll placed congressional disapproval at 86%, the highest level on record. Some lawmakers cited this as evidence of the harsh realities facing the institution. Representative Tim Burchett (R., Tenn.) acknowledged the difficulty in advancing legislation but noted efforts are ongoing.
Several members from both parties voiced concern about leaving with unfinished business. Representative Kat Cammack (R., Fla.) emphasized that important issues, including artificial intelligence, require further work. Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) criticized the early adjournment, stating that the House does little of value and expressed a preference for being in her district instead.
Bipartisan efforts to address sexual misconduct in Congress also face delays due to the shortened session. The Democratic and Republican women’s caucuses introduced legislation in May, but Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D., N.M.), chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said the early recess diminishes their ability to advance the measure amid ongoing ethics investigations into multiple members.
An analysis by the centrist group No Labels found the House has spent fewer hours in session and voted on fewer legislative days than the Senate this year. Between January and August, the Senate met for 667 hours compared to 383 hours in the House. Although the Senate is slated to remain in session through the month, there is speculation its schedule may also be curtailed.
Despite the low public regard, some experts suggest the current Congress’s level of productivity is not unusually poor. J.D. Rackey, associate director of the Structural Democracy Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said productivity can be measured in many ways and that the current Congress remains within the historical range of activity.