Johnson trims House calendar, risking stalled midterm priorities

House Speaker Mike Johnson shortened the preelection calendar, putting key items like data-center regulation, Russia sanctions, and Epstein oversight at risk of being delayed to the lame-duck session or dropped entirely, while Democrats decry the move as GOP dysfunction; other major priorities (defense policy bill, funding, transportation, farm bill, spy-power renewal) also face postponement, and Rep. Morelle is urging faster ballot-counting to secure the midterms.