BILLBOARD News Now
Open or Closed?
Everyone in America is aware the Federal government is in chaos, the House of Representatives is on vacation, the U. S. Senate is struggling to work and only essential employees are trying to keep planes flying.
If you are paying attention to the events on Capitol Hill, you must have noticed that the U. S. Senate is at work. They are voting on legislation that if passed would reopen the government, holding hearings with administration officials and today confirmed more than 100 of President Trump nominees.
All the while the House of Representatives is nowhere to be seen after acting on required legislation before the end of the fiscal year. Members were sent home by House Speaker Mark Johnson.
The House could have stayed on the job since the legislative process can change quickly. Some unexpected development could open the door and lead to the shutdown being avoided. House Democrats were there ready to work…but the doors to the House floor were locked.
If the Senate could find a way to enact the Continuing Resolution with a few minor tweaks it would be returned to the House for final passage. However, Speaker Johnson has given the House another week off.
There could be another reason Johnson does not want members at work. House members only need one more signature to send a discharge petition to the floor requiring the release of the Epstein files.
That signature is Adelita Grijaiva, newly elected from Arizona who plans to be the 218th signer of the discharge petition. Until she takes the “Oath of Office” she cannot sign. Wonder if that is why Speaker Johnson gave House members another week off?
The Senate is working…the House vacations…and the public pays!
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