No one would say that the House of Representatives finished up its business on a good note. Democrats were engaged in a united sit-in in an effort to secure a vote on gun legislation. Republicans were intent on not having that vote and Paul Ryan was more concerned about his own eroding control over the situation than dealing with the actual issue at hand. So while Democrats continued their protest, House Republicans hastily passed a Zika bill full of poison pills and made a run for the door, starting the Fourth of July holiday two days early.
The House did nothing to address the sit-in or the gun legislation that was behind the Democratic action. All of which means that the House will come back to the same problems.
House Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for their return to the Capitol next week — the first time they will be reunited since a Democratic sit-in led to a premature adjournment for a 10-day recess a week ago.
Every indication is that Republicans will still refuse to have a vote on either of the two bills that Rep. John Lewis was supporting in starting the sit-in. Instead, Republicans will push the idea that terrorism is the real issue—though just what Republicans will try to pass to stop home-grown radicals isn't known.
Democrats plan to continue to push for votes on the same bills, though it's not clear whether that means picking up the sit-in or adopting some new tactic to get past Republican road blocks.
And Paul Ryan is still looking at ways he can slap wrists of Democrats who did not respect his authority.
On a conference call with fellow Republicans on Thursday, the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, said that the Republican leadership was continuing to review Democratic activities during the protest that disrupted House proceedings and that Republicans could still take action in response.
Because nothing is going to restore the dignity of the House like handing out demerits.