US Republican lawmaker criticizes House leadership over recess amid shutdown

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday expressed frustration with House leadership for not keeping the lower chamber in session as the government shutdown enters its third week.

"The House should be in session working. We should be finishing appropriations. Our committees should be working. We should be passing bills that make President (Donald) Trump’s executive orders permanent. I have no respect for the decision to refuse to work," Greene, a member of Congress for the Southern state of Georgia, said on US social media company X.

Since casting their last votes on Sept. 19, the House has not conducted formal legislative business, though members have continued to hold news conferences and public events.

As the US government shutdown entered its 20th day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday took aim at the House of Representatives, which has not held a recorded vote since last month.

"It's been over a month since the House of Representatives even took a single roll call vote. That's shameful, that's derelict. Government workers must work without getting paid. House Republicans get paid without working," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

The Senate is reconvening Monday to hold an 11th vote on whether to advance a House-passed bill aimed at funding the government and ending the current shutdown.

The measure has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in each attempt so far, with no indication that the outcome will be different this time.