Exhausted By Epic Inaction, Congress Takes a Vacation

The U.S. Congress is on vacation until after Labor Day, but given its lack of accomplishments, it could have been in recess for the preceding year. Of course, Congress typically spends three days a week in DC even when it’s in session, spending the other four back home collecting campaign funds for the next election, a practice euphemistically called “meeting with constituents.”

But summer recess isn’t all stump speeches and visits to examine vital NATO defenses on the Riviera. Congress will still be hard at work tweeting about the highlights of rubber chicken luncheons at the Rotary Club. We hope our legislators don’t over-exert their Twitter fingers this month. They’ll have just a few days in September to decide on the nation budget, the debt limit, and tax reform, and to keep the White House from crashing the health care system or stumbling into trade war or a military crisis.

Congress Passed an FAA Extension. Here’s Why.

The House and Senate passed a six-month extension for the Federal Aviation Agency this week. Everyone in DC knew they would.

Why?  Self-interest. Senators and members of congress fly into Washington on Tuesday morning and fly home again on Thursday afternoon. They spend most of their time back home on Job One, raising money for the next campaign.

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Congress Is On Vacation. Like It Was All Year Long.

After a grueling five-day schedule of naming post office buildings, Congress kicked the budget can down the road and sneaked out of DC in the dark of night last Thursday. Those who aren’t investigating NATO defenses at Munich’s Oktoberfest are in their home jurisdictions, shaking down constituents for votes and campaign cash. They’ll return after November’s election smoke clears and they know who’s a survivor and who has a few weeks to find a job as a lobbyist or investment banker.

 More:

“Peace Out! House Cancels Work Until After Election Day,” Sahil Kapur, TPM Livewire

 “Senate Approves Spending Bill and Syria Measure, Heads for Exits,” Michael Catalini and Sarah Mimms, National Journal

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Congress Is 0n Vacation. Like It Is All Year Long.

The 113th Congress is taking a five-week recess after the exhausting labor of passing 22 bills in eight months, the smallest number in history. Of course, Congress only spends three days a week in DC even when it’s in session, spending the other four back home collecting campaign funds for the next election, a practice euphemistically called “meeting with constituents.”

Pay Congress What It’s Worth. Nothing.

House Speaker John Boehner (R, OH-8) has put the 113th United States Congress on notice: No work no pay. Pass the budget or you won’t get a paycheck.

This is the same John Boehner who was House Speaker last year, during the 112th Congress, the least productive Congress in 60 years. So does this mean we can get our money back from that Do-Nothing Congress?

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GOP ‘Cranks & Crazies’

The Republican Tea Party loons of the U.S. Congress have become world famous, and no wonder, since their capture of the GOP endangers the entire global economy. The most recent observation of this was by Australia’s deputy PM and finance minister, Wayne Swan:

“Let’s be blunt and acknowledge the biggest threat to the world’s biggest economy are the cranks and crazies that have taken over a part of the Republican Party. Global markets are nervously watching the positioning of hardline elements of the Republican Party for signs that they will dangerously block reasonable attempts at compromise.”

“Swan: GOP ‘Cranks and Crazies’ Threaten Growth,” Edward Johnson, Businessweek

Congress & the Post Office

“In the 18 months the 112^th Congress has been sworn in, the House has introduced 60 bills to rename post offices.  Thirty-eight have passed the House and 26 have become law. During those 18 months, the House has produced 151 laws, 17 percent of which have been to rename post offices, according to Congressional Democrats.

Not a single bill has come to the House floor aimed at reforming a Postal Service, which is bleeding billions of dollars because of Congressional mandates.”

— “60 House Bills to Name Post Offices, Zero To Fix Mail Service,” Amy Bingham, ABC News

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