The House of Representatives is canceling the last two weeks of its September session, a move critics say cements the 119th Congress's status as one of the most "do-nothing" sessions in American history. The decision sends members home for an extended stretch just weeks before the November midterm elections, when control of the House and Senate will be decided and every seat is on the ballot. It also comes as the federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, a deadline that typically requires Congress to pass spending legislation or a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown.

The phrase "Do-Nothing Congress" originated with the 80th Congress, which served from 1947 to 1949. President Harry Truman deployed the label during his 1948 reelection campaign to attack the Republican-controlled Congress for blocking much of his domestic agenda, particularly proposals on housing, prices, labor and civil rights. Even then, hundreds of bills passed through the 80th Congress.

By comparison, in 2026 Congress has passed 30 public laws, bringing the session total to 103 laws. As of Sept. 3, only 64 of those bills had actually become law. The only Congress with a worse record than the 119th was the first session of the 118th Congress in 2023, when the Republican-controlled House passed just 34 bills. The Republican-led Congress of 2013 was also historically unproductive, with fewer than 60 votes passed. The House, Senate and White House are currently all controlled by Republicans, meaning unified government has not translated into higher legislative output.

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), the Democratic Whip, announced that the House GOP leadership had changed the schedule, pausing votes until approximately 6:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Sept. 14.

"Members are advised that votes are no longer expected in the House the week of September 21 and Sept 28," she said in a release. "Pending Senate adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 113, votes are possible in the House during the weeks of September 21 and September 28, 2026. Members will receive 48 hours' notice prior to any potential votes in the House."

She noted the change represents a departure from the previous schedule.

States News reporter Jenniffer Shutt noted that the move extends "the pre-election campaign break to seven weeks." ()

Aaron Fritschner, deputy chief of staff to Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), wrote on BlueSky: "The last votes in the House before the midterm, if they adhere to the current schedule, will be two weeks from today. We're also out next week." ()

Politico's Meridith Lee Hill explained: "That means members are set to depart no later than Sept. 17 and not return until mid-November." (https://x.com/meredithllee/status/2095509732895166589)

One commenter wrote: "It's honestly telling how many in the comments think this is bad news[.] This is literally the GOP House Majority signaling: they are terrified [and] are basically giving up." ()

Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger noted the schedule change has consequences for pending legislation. "This impacts the Protect College Sports Act. The House, originally scheduled to be in session for four weeks in September, is now scheduled for just two. This means the House would not consider the congressional bill until it returns in mid-November — if it passes the Senate." (https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/2095511450454278338)

The mid-November return means any legislation not passed before the break will be deferred until after the midterms, when a lame-duck session would take up outstanding items.

Attorney Blake Allen offered a broader assessment: "This Republican majority almost certainly holds the record for the most floor time lost in modern congressional history. It is a historically dysfunctional majority. The only recent saving grace is MGP & Golden throwing Johnson a lifeline for no good political reason." (https://x.com/Blake_Allen13/status/2095521251599024603)

Tim Miller, a former Republican who writes for The Bulwark, quipped on X: "The French legislature is looking at Mike Johnson and thinking s—— is this much vacation allowed?" (https://x.com/Timodc/status/2095516675059724393)

NOTUS reporter Oriana González wrote: "House lawmakers will never defeat the not working allegations." (https://x.com/ReporterOriana/status/2095511943851213086)

Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health, added: "Crazy how Republicans claim that 'nobody wants to work anymore,' and oppose paid leave social safety nets, but then work as little as possible while getting a taxpayer-funded paycheck and healthcare." (https://x.com/DarrigoMelanie/status/2095519081919021523)

Source: Alternet