It was noon on Wednesday and the House side of the Capitol was almost deserted. Save for the remaining staff and journalists roaming the halls, it was a shell of its typical self in the middle of what was supposed to be a congressional work week.

But here and there, scattered groups of House Democrats wandered around, drawing attention to the absence of their Republican colleagues.

“These guys like to do work requirements for people who are on SNAP and who are on Medicaid. Maybe we ought to do work requirements for them, that they’re not going to get their paycheck unless they f—ing show up to work,” said Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern, who likened the government shutdown to a root canal.

On a typical day in session, lawmakers trade barbs from congressional hearing rooms or

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