Lawmakers get out of the House .. (in session only 97 days this year)

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives is on track this year to be in session for fewer days than the Congress Harry Truman labeled as “do-nothing” during his 1948 re-election campaign.

Members of Congress are taking an entire week off for St. Patrick's Day. It's the latest scheduling innovation to give members more time to meet with constituents.

Through Friday, the House was in session for 19 days, compared with 33 for the Senate. If they stick to their current schedule — including two weeks off in April, a week in May and July, plus all of August — House members will spend 97 days in Washington this year.

The House was in session 108 days in 1948, according to the chamber's archives, compared with 141 days last year. “This is an election year and people want to see more of their constituents,” says House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060320/1a_bottomstrip20.art.htm

[Greeby]

1. First thing to do when there's a Democratic majority

Cut back on the holidays, make these Repukes work for a living :bounce:

[NoAmericanTaliban]

2. Lets not forget that they started late in order to give DeLie a chance

to defend himself against the 'partisan' charges in Texas. Guess if you are a Repuke you don't have to work - look at Bush & his record of most vacation time than any other president.

[napi21]

3. HEY, this is a GOOD THING!

As long as they're not there, they can't do any damamge! I'd like to see them take the entire spring & Summer off, and theie replacements can return to Wash. in January!!!!

[Doctor_J]

4. Except that makes more time for Smirk's "recess appointments"

Maybe they will use this tidbit to distance themselves from all of *'s disasters - "In fairness to myslef, there was only so much I could do in 97 days of work".

[alfredo]

5. More time for shaking down reluctant contributors.

[Rainscents]

6. They need to take rest of the year off... Less they're there, less damage.

[Bandit]

7. Off all of August

I guess Bush* the Lazy really started something with the month long vacation thing. Now terrorist really know when America is at it's weakest.:shrug:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. I want 10+ weeks off every year!

The people who bust their ass get 1-3 weeks of "vacation" a year.

[Cocoa]

9. these 23-hour work-months are killing me!

I guess rubber-stamping doesn't take long...

During the first two months of the year, House members logged a total of 47 hours in the Capitol. They took off almost the entire month of January, while the Senate confirmed Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

Lawmakers will make $165,200 this year. Leaders get more.