Reflecting on the 118th Congress: A Year of Uncertainty, Leadership Shifts, and Legislative Struggles
The 118th Congress, which began in January 2023 and concluded at the end January 3 2024, was a period marked by political turbulence, high-stakes negotiations, and a divided government. As we look back on the significant moments that shaped the past two years, it’s clear that this Congress faced unique challenges, including leadership instability, partisan gridlock, and debates on some of the most pressing issues facing the nation. From the ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy to the passage of key legislation and standoffs over funding and immigration, the 118th Congress left an indelible mark on the legislative landscape.
Here’s a comprehensive look back at some of the major events and themes of the 118th Congress.
Leadership Challenges: The McCarthy Ouster and the Rise of Mike Johnson
One of the most defining moments of the 118th Congress was the dramatic ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, by Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL-01). McCarthy, the first Speaker in history to be removed from office, faced increasing pressure from his own party, particularly from the hard-right members of the House Freedom Caucus, who were dissatisfied with his leadership. The decision to remove him came after months of tension over budget negotiations, Ukraine and foreign wars funding, and McCarthy’s inability to bring his party together on key votes.
This unprecedented action sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., and created a leadership vacuum in the House. For weeks, the House was unable to function fully, with members unable to pass legislation or tackle key issues. It wasn't until early January 2024 that Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) was elected as Speaker. Johnson, a relatively low-profile congressman before his election, faced the challenge of uniting a fractured Republican Party while navigating the complexities of a narrowly divided House, and getting his footing as speaker.
On Friday, Johnson was re-elected Speaker on the first ballot, solidifying his role as the party's leader and providing a smooth start to the 119th congress. His ability to keep the House together will likely be a defining feature of the 119th Congress, with major legislative challenges awaiting the new leadership.
Partisan Gridlock and Policy Stalemates
Despite a few legislative victories, the 118th Congress was largely characterized by partisan gridlock. The narrow Republican majority in the House made it difficult for Speaker McCarthy, and later Speaker Johnson, to pass major legislation without relying on Democratic votes. On the other hand, Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), were often able to push through their priorities, especially given the ongoing debates over government spending and critical issues like the U.S. debt ceiling and border security.
The Congress struggled to reach a consensus on several high-profile issues, including:
Government Funding: As the fiscal year came to a close, funding disputes between the Republican-led House and the Democrat-controlled Senate led to fears of government shutdowns. In the end, temporary funding measures were passed, but many important policy areas, including defense spending and infrastructure, remained unresolved. These short-term deals resulted in a lack of long-term planning, leaving federal agencies and government programs in a constant state of uncertainty.
Read about the recent CR passage, and details about the agreement
Debt Ceiling: The U.S. debt ceiling was another contentious issue, as Republicans in the House demanded spending cuts as a condition for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling. The deadlock over the debt ceiling led to a temporary financial crisis, with the possibility of the U.S. defaulting on its debts hanging in the balance. Ultimately, a deal was struck, but it highlighted the growing divide between the parties and the need for more comprehensive fiscal reforms.
Read about the details of the debt ceiling negotiations and agreement
Immigration and Border Security: Immigration remained a divisive issue, with Republicans pushing for stricter border security measures while Democrats called for comprehensive immigration reform. The House passed several bills aimed at tightening immigration policies, but these measures faced stiff opposition in the Senate. The lack of a comprehensive solution has kept the debate unresolved, with no clear path forward for addressing the growing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.
See Constitution Partners summary of the border security funding showdown
Farm Bill: Another year has passed without a Farm Bill agreement. In the latest version of the CR that will now fund the government through March 14, 2025 and extend the 2018 farm bill programs through Sept. 30, 2025. Both the House and Senate released versions of the Farm bill during this congress, but failed to come to an agreement. For full summaries of the separate proposals, see Constitution Partners analysis here.
Notable Legislative Actions and Achievements
Despite the gridlock, the 118th Congress did see some important legislative actions:
Energy and Environmental Policy: One of the few areas where bipartisan cooperation occurred was in energy policy. Republicans in the House pushed for measures that would boost domestic energy production, reduce regulations on fossil fuels, and increase support for nuclear power. These proposals received some support from centrist Democrats, who saw the need to address rising energy costs and ensure U.S. energy independence. However, proposals for a comprehensive green energy bill were stalled due to opposition from Republicans who argued against excessive government intervention in the energy market. Other negotiations that were unfortunately unsuccessful was permitting reform. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 was stymied by other legislative priorities, but is sure to be a priority for the 119th congress.
Read more shout the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 from Constitution Partners
Defense and National Security: Another significant area of action was defense spending, which remained a priority for both Republicans and Democrats. The defense authorization bill for the fiscal year 2025 passed with bipartisan support, with lawmakers agreeing to increase funding for military personnel, weapons systems, and defense technologies. National security concerns, particularly related to the rise of China and ongoing military engagements in the Middle East, were central to defense policy.
Infrastructure and Public Works: While the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed under the Biden administration in 2021 continued to be a focal point for spending, Congress did pass several smaller infrastructure packages aimed at modernizing the country’s roads, bridges, and ports. The need for modernization of port facilities was particularly emphasized during the ongoing labor disputes at major U.S. ports.
Social Issues: The 118th Congress saw continued debates over healthcare, social safety net programs, and abortion rights. While Republicans attempted to scale back some of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), their efforts were largely unsuccessful due to Senate opposition. On the other hand, the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, continued to fuel debates in Congress about reproductive rights and access to abortion services.
Leadership Reflections and Moving Forward
As the 118th Congress draws to a close, it’s clear that the session was a period of reflection, frustration, and compromise. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) highlighted the party's priorities in his reflections, focusing on pro-growth energy policies, border security, and reducing government spending. However, the political landscape of the 118th Congress made achieving these goals difficult, particularly in light of the divided government and the contentious relationships between the two parties.
Looking ahead, the 119th Congress will likely face similar challenges. The narrow Republican majority in the House, combined with a Senate still controlled by Democrats, means that bipartisan collaboration will be essential for addressing the most pressing issues facing the country. With Speaker Mike Johnson now at the helm, all eyes will be on how he navigates the shifting dynamics within his party and works with Senate leadership to pass key legislation.
The 118th Congress will be remembered for its tumultuous leadership changes, its struggle to pass meaningful legislation, and its inability to resolve several key issues. Yet, in this era of intense partisanship, it’s clear that the challenges faced by lawmakers are a reflection of the broader political divide in the country. As the nation moves forward into 2025, the hope is that the 119th Congress can find common ground on critical issues such as immigration, national security, and fiscal responsibility.