The House to work only 97 days this year???

[MODU]

I'm seriously beginning to start an official "Congress Sucks" thread here:

"Lawmakers get out of the House"

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.

(Cont...)

[John Dibble]

Might be a good thing - they'll have less time to screw things up.

[MODU]

Might be a good thing - they'll have less time to screw things up.

hahaha . . . that might be true.

[David S]

Might be a good thing - they'll have less time to screw things up.

hahaha . . . that might be true.

LOL I think I'd rather see them playing golf than writing more unconstitutional legislation.

[Democratic Hawk]

Nice jobs if you can get 'em . The GOP, who control the agenda, must be running out of steam. Either that or they just need to devote more time to their districts, than usual, this year. Re-election is all that matters

Like it did with Truman, the Democrats could use this as part of their arsenal in the run up to Fall. "Good for nothings, do nothings" would be about right but, it won't work unless the Democrats come up with a rigorous legislative agenda of their own

Dave

[MODU]

I'm telling you, two-year terms are just rediculous when it comes to the House.  They spend more time campaigning than working.  Maybe Virginia has it right when it doesn't allow their Governors to run for two consecutive terms.  It forces the Governor to actually focus on work and not re-election.  Maybe we should do the same to the House if we are going to stick with the two-year term concept.

[Democratic Hawk]

I'm telling you, two-year terms are just rediculous when it comes to the House.  They spend more time campaigning than working.  Maybe Virginia has it right when it doesn't allow their Governors to run for two consecutive terms.  It forces the Governor to actually focus on work and not re-election.  Maybe we should do the same to the House if we are going to stick with the two-year term concept.

From that I gather you are suggesting non-consecutive term limits on House members? 4-year terms might be an option but then it would have to be determined whether to hold them in on, or off, presidential years

Has it always been 2-years? I'd say that was feasible when government was small but it's hard to conceive of it being so small again

BTW, I can't say I like the Virginia set-up. I'd have very much liked Mark Warner to have had a second consecutive term

Dave

[MODU]

From that I gather you are suggesting non-consecutive term limits on House members? 4-year terms might be an option but then it would have to be determined whether to hold them in on, or off, presidential years

Has it always been 2-years? I'd say that was feasible when government was small but it's hard to conceive of it being so small again

BTW, I can't say I like the Virginia set-up. I'd have very much liked Mark Warner to have had a second consecutive term

Dave

Yes, non-consecutive, four-year terms would be great.  Make it so every two years, half of the House gets dumped, and fresh blood comes in.  With there being four years before you can be re-elected, you won't waste tax-payers time or money campaigning while you are suppose to be working.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

How many of those 97 days will they actually be doing work?

[MODU]

How many of those 97 days will they actually be doing work?

Probably two.  In-processing day, and out-processing day.

[Wakie]

That's the hardworking Republican Congress for ya.