Top 6 House moments post-historic 2023 in Congress
The 118th Congress: A Year of Historic Highs and Lows
The year 2023 was a rollercoaster ride for the House of Representatives, filled with significant moments that made history. From groundbreaking diversity to unprecedented voting sessions, here’s a breakdown of the record-breaking moments that defined the 118th Congress.
A Diverse and Trailblazing House
Right from the start, the 118th Congress made history by becoming the most racially and ethnically diverse House ever. Over 130 lawmakers, accounting for one-quarter of the chamber, identified as black, Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, or multiracial. Additionally, a record-high number of female lawmakers, making up 28% of all members, were sworn into the House.
Marathon Voting and Speaker Drama
The House kicked off the year with an unprecedented marathon voting session to elect its next speaker. It took a staggering 15 rounds of ballots for Kevin McCarthy to secure the gavel, facing pushback from members of his own party. This marked the first time since 1923 that a party leader failed to secure the leadership position on the first ballot. The 15 rounds of voting were the longest multi-ballot speaker election since 1859.
Eventually, McCarthy was elected on a nonlegislative calendar day, January 7, after making concessions to hard-line conservatives in his conference.
A Historic Ousting of the Speaker
In a historic move, the House voted to oust McCarthy from the top leadership position on October 3. This marked the first time in history that lawmakers removed their speaker. The measure, introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, passed with the support of eight Republicans and all Democrats. McCarthy later resigned from office in December.
Tensions Boil Over on the House Floor
The speaker fight witnessed intense battles on the House floor, providing viewers with rare access to the usually private proceedings. A brawl even broke out after Gaetz sunk McCarthy’s bid for the 14th time. The cameras captured the moment when Rep. Mike Rogers approached Gaetz, leading to Rep. Richard Hudson restraining him. This incident underscored the tensions among House lawmakers during the prolonged speaker fight.
A Leaderless House and Historic Delays
Following McCarthy’s ouster, the House remained without a leader for three weeks, the longest period since 1962. Eventually, Rep. Mike Johnson was elected as the new speaker, ending the 21-day period of stalled action. The October vote series took a total of nine days, becoming the fourth longest time it has ever taken to elect a speaker.
Expulsions, Censures, and Partisan Punishments
The House witnessed the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, making him only the sixth member to be removed from the lower chamber in U.S. history. Additionally, three Democrats were censured, reaching a threshold not seen in over 150 years. Rep. Adam Schiff was reprimanded for comments made during the first impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Rep. Rashida Tlaib faced censure over pro-Palestinian comments, while Rep. Jamaal Bowman was censured after falsely pulling a fire alarm.
A Year of Legislative Struggles
The 118th Congress proved to be the least productive in over a decade, with only 22 out of 329 pieces of legislation becoming law. Despite this, lawmakers conducted the most number of votes in over a decade, with 724 total votes. The House also saw the highest number of failed rule votes and passed five bills to override vetoes from President Biden.
An Ever-Changing House
The House dealt with an ever-changing makeup, with early resignations and ousters. Vacancies were filled by new representatives, including the first black lawmaker to represent Rhode Island. The trend of vacancies is expected to continue into 2024 with early retirements and resignations.
The 118th Congress will be remembered as a year of historic highs and lows, showcasing the diversity, drama, and challenges faced by the House of Representatives.
How did the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act demonstrate the high tensions and divisions within the 118th Congress?
T exemplified the high tensions and divisions within the 118th Congress.
Historic Legislation Passed
Despite the political dramas and divisions, the 118th Congress successfully passed several historic pieces of legislation. One of the most significant achievements was the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion bill aimed at improving the nation’s infrastructure. This bipartisan legislation addressed key areas such as transportation, broadband access, and clean energy, garnering support from both parties.
In addition, the 118th Congress passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at protecting voting rights and preventing voter suppression. This bill, named after the late civil rights icon John Lewis, was seen as a major step in ensuring fair and equal access to the ballot box for all Americans.
Partisan Gridlock and Government Shutdown
Despite the successes, the 118th Congress also faced significant challenges due to partisan gridlock. Divisions between Republicans and Democrats often led to legislative stalemates and ideological battles. The most notable display of this gridlock was the government shutdown that occurred in November. Disagreements over funding for key government programs and border security led to a temporary halt in government operations, causing disruption and frustration across the country.
Crisis Response and Pandemic Relief
The 118th Congress further faced the challenging task of addressing ongoing crises and providing relief to those affected. Throughout the year, the House responded to various emergencies, such as natural disasters and public health crises. In particular, the Congress played a vital role in responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, passing multiple relief packages to support individuals, businesses, and healthcare systems.
A Legacy Defined
As the 118th Congress comes to an end, it leaves behind a legacy defined by both historic highs and lows. Its unparalleled diversity, groundbreaking legislation, and resilience in the face of crises will be remembered. However, its internal divisions, partisan gridlock, and government shutdown will also shape its historical narrative. The 118th Congress serves as a reflection of the complexities and challenges of governing in a polarized political landscape.
As the 119th Congress begins its tenure, it will undoubtedly build upon the achievements and learn from the shortcomings of its predecessor. The coming years will surely present new challenges, but the 118th Congress has set a precedent for what can be achieved in the realm of diversity, legislation, crisis response, and politics.
History will judge the 118th Congress, weighing its unprecedented moments against its turbulent periods. In the end, it will be remembered as a vital chapter in the nation’s legislative history, showcasing the endurance and resilience of America’s democratic institutions.
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