Congressional Republicans confront a lost summer

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

07/02/2026 04:45 AM EDT


The Republican congressional agenda is melting in the summer heat. Intraparty fights, tight margins, election-year pressures and an indifferent president have grounded the pre-midterm legislative plans of GOP leaders on Capitol Hill, with just a handful of days left to do anything about it.

House leaders, in particular, appear to have lost control of their chamber with just eight session days before a planned five-week summer recess. They discarded two of those days this week, sending members home early for Independence Day after a member rebellion left them unable to move major bills.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s demands for action on a stalled GOP elections bill and a series of mercurial power moves have left Senate Republicans frustrated and morose as major legislation piles up — including the annual defense policy bill, fiscal 2027 spending measures, an extension of government spy powers, the farm bill and more.

“Who needs Democrats when you have your own party derailing the Trump agenda?” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) lamented Tuesday as members unexpectedly scattered for the upcoming holiday. Absent strong leadership or presidential intervention, the contemporary Congress tends to act only when deadlines force it to, and that has made the early part of this summer especially languid on Capitol Hill.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/01/congress-do-nothing-summer-00985289

[AZLD4Candidate]

1. Republicans can't govern??? But the media tells me Trump is a genius and the Republicans are great

It's all the Democrats' fault that the government isn't functioning.

[SamuelAdams]

2. Every time Democrats are in charge, the government stays funded and things get done.

[Buddyzbuddy]

3. Not to worry, Democrats will help them find their way in January.