The 55th Legislature has officially adjourned for the second constituency break following the conclusion of the first quarter of its second session. While the full legislative body is now in recess, some committees will continue with their work. The Legislature is scheduled to reconvene in May 2025 to begin the second quarter of the session.
Before adjourning, the House of Representatives found itself embroiled in a prolonged leadership dispute over the legitimacy of the speakership. This internal power struggle has led to significant divisions between Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon. Tensions remain high as Koffa continues to assert his claim to the speakership, while Koon commands the support of a significant faction of lawmakers. The unresolved conflict has raised concerns about the House’s ability to push forward its legislative agenda.
Meanwhile, the Senate, led by Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence, is preparing to present a detailed report on its activities since the session began. The report will outline key legislative achievements, including laws passed, confirmations made, and major policy decisions. The Senate officially adjourned for its second constituency break on July 18, 2024, in accordance with the legislative calendar.
In her closing statement, Pro Tempore Karngar-Lawrence highlighted the Senate’s ongoing commitment to reform and productivity. She pointed to the Senate’s recent three-day retreat in Buchanan, which set a clear agenda for oversight, transparency, and accountability. The retreat also focused on modernizing the Senate and improving staff welfare.
Among the Senate’s accomplishments during this session were updating its rules, collaborating with the Civil Service Agency to conduct an employee headcount, and restoring its website for better transparency. Additionally, the Senate made progress on reviewing and renovating the old Senate annex, procured two new buses for staff, and restored health insurance benefits for employees.
Public hearings on key concession agreements and government ministries were conducted, focusing on companies such as CTN, MedTech, and Western Cluster Limited Liberia. The Senate submitted reports to the Executive Branch with recommendations aimed at aligning these agreements with national priorities. Notably, the Senate recommended renegotiating the CTN contract to secure greater benefits for the government and reduce fees, while raising concerns about the Bomi-to-Monrovia road corridor’s heavy use by Western Cluster for iron ore transport.
As part of its efforts to promote decentralization, the Senate is working on bills that would grant greater autonomy to port authorities across the country. This initiative aims to stimulate job creation and economic growth in affected counties. During the session, the Senate passed eight pieces of legislation, approved three ratifications, confirmed 293 presidential nominees, and sent 13 bills for further review.
