Only 17 days remain in 2023, and members of Congress are preparing to leave Washington to return to their districts for Christmas. It has been a lively, and sometimes contentious, first session for the 118th Congress.
The removal in October of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., by his own party likely will be remembered as the most historic event to take place in Congress this year. McCarthy recently announced he will step down.
Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., remains in the “honeymoon” phase and is navigating Congress through the contentious waters of budgeting for fiscal year 2024. The appropriations fight will be the first priority for Congress in the new year, with deadlines looming in January and early February.
More aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia still is being debated as GOP lawmakers make it clear they won’t support…
