House Speaker Mike Johnson has lamented he would like to preside over a "normal Congress." But the chamber the Republican is leading is anything but. There are all-night sessions. Hours of dead zones with no action on the floor. Legislation being written on the fly, behind closed doors. Sudden votes scheduled. Spectacular failures. And, as happened this week, stunning turnarounds in which the House actually passes bills. Johnson acknowledges what he calls a sometimes ugly process. But Johnson said this week the lawmakers "got it done." Republicans are trying to persuade voters in November to keep them in power. Democrats are trying to regain majority control and say Republicans can't govern.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was dealt a historic defeat in first-round voting Tuesday to become House speaker, sending …

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi promised as speaker she would "show the power of the gavel."