Democrats officially took control of the House of Representatives one month ago with a promise of moving quickly on a fresh agenda centered on protecting health care and making Washington work better.
Until last week, those plans were on pause. Committees couldn’t form, legislation stalled and their whole message was about ending the shutdown. Now, as Washington returns to legislating with a three-week period to focus on a spending deal, Democrats are working to catch up before Trump takes center stage with a prime-time State of the Union address delivered from their home turf — the House floor.
“There’s no question that the government shutdown consumed everyone’s attention,” said Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I. “The president I think did that purposefully.”
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