Inside the House chamber for King Charles III’s historic address to Congress was all the pomp and circumstance expected of a royal visit, including a ceremonious entrance, standing ovations and even a George Washington impersonator in the galleries.
But while U.S. leaders put on an appearance of unity during the king’s visit commemorating America’s 250th anniversary of independence, behind-the-scenes, the colonies — er, lawmakers — were fighting.
In the hours before and after Charles III’s visit to the chamber, lawmakers squabbled over a rule overseeing floor debate on a patchwork of high-stakes measures, including a bill to authorize agriculture programs, a budget resolution aimed at ultimately funding part of the Department of Homeland Security and the renewal of a key government surveillance authority due to expire Thursday.
