A powerful snowstorm approaching the Northeastern United States has prompted delays in Congressional votes initially scheduled for this week. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have postponed their sessions to Tuesday due to the anticipated severe weather conditions, which are expected to disrupt travel and cause flight cancellations across major cities including New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. Information from a Republican representative indicates that the storm's impact is significant enough to affect federal legislative procedures.

As the storm approaches, officials in New York City have declared a state of emergency, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered the closure of all streets, highways, and bridges in the city to all non-essential traffic from Sunday evening until midday Monday to ensure public safety. This storm is said to be one of the most significant weather events the city has faced in a decade, prompting city officials to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel in order to mitigate risks associated with harsh weather conditions.

The National Weather Service has reported that snowfall could accumulate to as much as 30 centimeters in urban areas, with some localities potentially seeing up to 60 centimeters. Such extreme weather raises concerns not only for travel but also for the operations of local governments and emergency services. By postponing their voting agenda, Congress seeks to mitigate the risks of legislators and staff being unable to access the Capitol, reflecting the broader impact of extreme weather events on national governance and legislative processes.