In School, We Only Got One Recess...

Congress has been in recess for over a month now, and it will be another few days before Washington sees them again. Understandably, many people ask, “Why do our legislators need so much time off?”

Let’s start with the notion some people may have that our legislators are on some kind of vacation when they’re in recess. Sure, even our elected officials take a breather now and then, but recess is actually a mechanism to ensure that those that represent us on Capitol Hill stay in tune with the needs of their constituents. By and large, members of Congress go home during these breaks, holding town halls, touring
their districts, and determining their priorities for the next round of sessions in Washington.

However, there are less altruistic and more pragmatic reasons for members to be home, primarily motivated by fear of losing their job. By spending time with the voters that elect them (or someone else), these representatives shore up their support for the next election. While Senators enjoy a bit more leeway by virtue of their six year terms, members of the House of Representatives face re-election every two years. House members are thus almost always running for re-election, and recesses serve to allow them to do so, instead of them having to campaign when they are legislating in Washington.

So what’s next for Congress? Every indication is that they will come back for what is known as a “lame duck session,” a legislative round that occurs between an election and the inauguration of the new class of Congress to address the nation’s particularly pressing issues that cannot be delayed. This year, lame duck legislation up for debate will almost surely include an economic stimulus package to help resuscitate the struggling markets. LCV is also monitoring an omnibus lands package may also may go to the floor.

The lame duck session will also provide an opportunity to properly send off retiring members of Congress, including Senator John Warner of Virginia, who was the Republican lead in drafting comprehensive climate change legislation during the 110th Congress.

December will serve as an actual, well-deserved break for Members of Congress and their staffs before they start anew in January as the 111th Congress is sworn in and the cycle begins once again.