House Speaker Mike Johnson curtailed the chamber’s preelection schedule on Thursday, canceling planned work during the final two weeks of September. The move leaves lawmakers with only one additional week in session before the November midterm elections.

The revised calendar means the House will return briefly the week of Sept. 14 after the Labor Day recess and then adjourn until after the elections. Johnson cited the need for members to focus on their districts amid the campaign season and limited Senate action on shared priorities as key factors.

The decision follows a period of extended recesses and comes as Republicans seek to retain their House majority. Members in competitive races will now have additional time on the ground to connect with voters rather than remaining in Washington with few must-pass measures on the docket.

A continuing resolution funding the government through December passed earlier in the week, reducing immediate pressure for further legislative activity before voters head to the polls. GOP leaders have indicated they could recall members if the Senate advances certain measures, but the current plan prioritizes the electoral calendar.

Democrats have criticized the shortened schedule, arguing it limits opportunities for oversight and policy work. Republicans counter that the Senate’s pace and the demands of the midterm contest make extended sessions impractical at this stage.

The House had already been out for much of the summer, returning only briefly this week. With the adjustment, the chamber’s time in Washington between July and November will be minimal, shifting focus squarely to the campaign trail.