Story perspectives

GOP stalls votes, delays Smithsonian bill before 2026 elections

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Republican House leaders repeatedly canceled votes to avoid public defeats as the chamber approached the 2026 midterm election.
Speaker Mike Johnson postponed bipartisan votes and delayed a Smithsonian exhibit bill after a small Republican-Democrat coalition defeated it, leaving the House largely empty before the Memorial Day recess.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has been absent since March 5 for health reasons, further weakening the speaker’s fragile majority.

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Story summary

Republican House leaders repeatedly canceled votes to avoid public defeats as the chamber approached the 2026 midterm election.
Speaker Mike Johnson postponed bipartisan votes and delayed a Smithsonian exhibit bill after a small Republican-Democrat coalition defeated it, leaving the House largely empty before the Memorial Day recess.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has been absent since March 5 for health reasons, further weakening the speaker’s fragile majority.