By Grace Q. Bryant
Lawmakers are set to return to the main chambers at the Capitol Building by the second Tuesday of March 2025, following a plenary decision to restore legislative sessions to their official venue.
The decision was prompted by a petition from Montserrado County District 4 Representative Michael Thomas, who urged plenary to resume sessions in the Chinese-built chamber.
He cited constitutional obligations and the resolution of the House crisis as key reasons for the transition.
“In accordance with the constitutional provisions and the resolution of the crisis within the Legislature, we now have a unified House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Therefore, we seek plenary’s approval to return to our regular sittings in the House’s Chamber at the Capitol Building,” Thomas stated in his communication.
Following this, plenary instructed the Rules, Order, and Administration Committee to assess the chamber and make the necessary preparations for the lawmakers’ return.
The committee will ensure the facility meets required standards before the transition.
For months, the House of Representatives has been holding sessions in temporary venues, including the now-burned Joint Chambers and City Hall, due to a leadership dispute that paralyzed legislative activities.
The standoff saw competing claims to authority within the House.
Despite this move, embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa continues to challenge the legitimacy of his removal, arguing that the process was unconstitutional.
He has refused to vacate the Speaker’s office, complicating the transition further.
This ongoing power struggle has raised concerns that tensions could flare up again as plenary moves back to the main chambers.
With plenary’s approval, preparations will begin immediately to ensure the chambers are ready before the March deadline while lawmakers insist they are committed to legislative duties beyond internal conflicts.