Speaker Johnson keeps House lawmakers away, canceling another week's session as shutdown drags

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Mike Johnson is the speaker of a House that is no longer in session.

The Republican leader sent lawmakers home three weeks ago after the House approved a bill to fund the federal government. They haven’t been back in working session since. And on Friday, his leadership team announced they won’t be returning next week either.

In the intervening time, the government has shut downPresident Donald Trump began a mass firing of federal workers. And a Democrat, Adelita Grijalva, won a special election in Arizona but has not been sworn into office to take her seat in Congress.