Republicans have a lot to be happy about so far in the new Congress.
Neither the GOP-led House nor the Democrat-controlled Senate have passed any new laws. That's one way to prevent President Joe Biden from continuing to advance his progressive agenda before the 2024 presidential election.
In the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has called on Biden and Democrats to agree to compromises and spending cuts as a way to resolve the debt ceiling issue.
The new House majority has approved dozens of bills, with little to no chance of reaching the Senate floor.
McCarthy, who to become speaker, needed to appease a group of conservative lawmakers, so far steered a steady ship.
"Kevin has kept his promises [to the right]," said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Politico reported.
The passage of legislation also has divided Democrats on issues such as autonomy from Congress for the D.C. government.
"We're crashing through. We've passed a lot of our priorities. We split the Democrats on many of these votes," said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., head of the House GOP campaign arm, Politico reported.
"What matters is: Are we going to be able to get our spending bills done? And I'm hopeful that we'll see some activity over there on their side."
In the Senate, Democrats have passed one piece of new legislation, some non-binding resolutions, and have held just eight roll-call votes on nominees.
"Every day Senate Democrats are not destroying America is a good day," said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Politico reported.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., looked at it another way.
"I actually appreciate this go-slow approach," said Lummis, who added that the country needs a "breather" after the past two years, Politico reported.
"It's time to slow down."
Based on the new Congress' first six weeks, the only legislation that eventually will reach Biden's desk this year figures to be for the debt ceiling and to fund the government.
The Senate's slow start was aided by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., deciding to begin the year on a three-week recess.
Schumer says that Democrats owning a 51-49 majority will allow them to avoid some GOP roadblocks.
"Republicans want to slow-walk because they can't stand that the Democrats are in the majority," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, the Senate Banking Committee chair, Politico reported.
"It's always a slow start. But this has been worse."
Senate Democrats confirmed their first judge of this Congress last week.
Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who chairs the chamber's Judiciary Committee, said the Democrats are "ready to roll" on more nominees.
However, a single Republican can slow down Circuit Court nominees for up to 30 hours. That's a delay tactic that adds up over time.
"From their perspective, yes, [it's a problem]," said Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst said, Politico reported. "From our perspective, it's been great."
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