Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport recessed the House a day early as the debate over the sex offender Jeffrey Epsein's case escalated.

The speaker has drawn criticism for shutting down the House before lawmakers could vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana touted the benefits of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" on the first tour of his home district since Congress began its summer recess, saying it will ignite the economy while dismissig concerns about Medicaid cuts and debt.