The First Session of the Do Nothing 118th Congress

With the record of just 20 bills having passed both chambers and been signed into law in 2023, this Congress is on track to be one of the most unproductive in modern history. The vast majority of the bills were uncontroversial and passed by either unanimous consent or with minimal opposition. They include multiple measures to rename Veterans Affairs clinics, and one to mint a coin commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps. The action of this session is far below even historically unproductive first years: The 104th, 112th and 113th Congresses, in which Republicans controlled one or both chambers with Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in the White House, managed to have between 70 and 73 bills signed into law.