Table of Contents
- A Power Vacuum on Capitol Hill
- Governing in Trump’s Shadow
- The Grijalva Standoff
- Whispers of Republican Revolt
- Erosion of Congressional Norms
- Sources
Mike Johnson’s Empty House: A Power Vacuum on Capitol Hill
For over a month, the U.S. House of Representatives has been silent—no votes, no debates, no oversight hearings. At the helm: Speaker Mike Johnson, who has opted to keep the chamber in an indefinite recess during the ongoing government shutdown. This unprecedented move isn’t just a procedural oddity—it’s a deliberate strategy that’s reshaping the balance of power in Washington.
Johnson, citing Senate Democratic obstruction, claims there’s “nothing for the House to do.” But critics argue his inaction is doing more than stalling legislation—it’s marginalizing Congress itself.
Governing in Trump’s Shadow
Once skeptical of Donald Trump—calling him temperamentally unfit for office in 2015—Johnson has transformed into one of the former president’s most loyal defenders. From praising AI-generated shock posts to endorsing Trump’s $230 million reimbursement demand from the Justice Department, Johnson’s alignment is total.
“I’m the speaker and the president,” Trump reportedly joked, according to insiders. Johnson hasn’t pushed back. Instead, he’s embraced a role more akin to a White House surrogate than a co-equal branch leader.
This dynamic has led some, like former Trump strategist Stephen K. Bannon, to dub the current Congress “the state Duma”—a nod to Russia’s rubber-stamp legislature.
The Grijalva Standoff
One of Johnson’s most controversial decisions involves refusing to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat who won a special election over a month ago. Johnson claims he lacks the authority because the House was in recess—but legal experts say that’s baseless.
Grijalva has sued to take her seat, and Democrats allege Johnson is stalling to block her from providing the 218th signature needed to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s Justice Department files—a move Trump opposes.
Whispers of Republican Revolt
Not all Republicans are on board. Rep. Kevin Kiley of California has staged a solo protest by showing up to an empty Capitol daily. Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) urged colleagues to return during a private GOP call. Even Trump loyalist Elise Stefanik called for a vote to fund troops amid the shutdown.
Bannon, once a Johnson ally, now laments the wasted weeks: “Executive orders are great, but you need laws. Johnson refuses to codify the Trump revolution.”
Erosion of Congressional Norms
Johnson’s strategy relies on a 2023 rule change that lets the Speaker unilaterally declare extended recesses—no House vote required. While convenient for party control, it risks long-term damage.
“New members are learning that the Speaker’s job is to do nothing,” said Molly Reynolds of the Brookings Institution. “That reshapes how they see Congress forever.”
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi put it bluntly: “Donald Trump has effectively abolished the House of Representatives.”
