ANALYSIS — The 118th Congress has delivered on forecasts it would not send President Joe Biden much legislation to sign into law. It also has delivered on predictions of fireworks aplenty.
On the one hand, lawmakers and Biden averted a catastrophic federal debt default. On the other, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is constantly looking over his right shoulder at rebellious conservatives.
Most of the action has occurred in the House, from the prolonged fight for the speaker’s gavel to GOP infighting to a bipartisan vote on a debt and spending deal that rankled those very conservatives. A recent shutdown of the House floor raised still-unresolved questions about whether the speaker can remain in power.
