August Recess May Never Be the Same
September 03, 2009
Author: CFM Staff
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While Congress’s August recess is traditionally reserved as a time for lawmakers to take vacations, go on fact-finding trips and hold meetings in their districts with constituents, this year’s August recess has a distinctly different vibe.
Over time, Congress took breaks at various times of the year, but August proved to be too hot to get any business done in steamy, fetid Washington, D.C., even after the invention of air conditioners. So, August became an official month-long recess in 1970 when Congress passed the Legislative Reorganization Act (LRA).
The LRA came as a response to the heavy legislative agenda of the 1960s that kept Congress in session for longer and longer periods every year. The goal of the LRA was to modernize the legislative branch around ever expanding legislative demands, while still allowing Members to spend time in their districts.
What makes this year’s recess unique is the extensive mobilization of interest groups on all sides of the health care reform debate. Members of Congress encountered unprecedented numbers of people at townhall meetings, events that traditionally are sparsely attended. Some lawmakers resorted to checking the ID of people who attended their events to ensure they live in the district.
Additionally, there are the TV ad campaigns and busloads of people have been crossing the country to talk about health care reform and why they do or do not support it.
Many lawmakers foresaw some of the complications they could encounter if Congress failed to meet the end of July deadline it set for itself to pass health care reform. However, the intensity of the public’s reaction was completely unanticipated.
This begs the question – will August ever be the same for Members of Congress? As legislators return to D.C. next Tuesday, their actions will demonstrate what impact the events of this August has on their decisions.
Legislators already have modified their goals for September. They have pushed back action on climate change legislation and financial services reform, two of the other top priorities for Democrats. Additionally, the final passage for each of the 12 appropriation bills that will fund the government for the next year are still pending.
If it turns out that the angry townhalls, cross country buses and TV ad campaigns swayed votes, then it is possible the country will see August go from a month of rest to one of the most pivotal times to sway public opinion.
Catching up on summer reading for lawmakers will have to wait.
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