Look for the regular flow of news to resume from Capitol Hill today as both the Senate and House of Representatives are back on full schedule, rolling up sleeves for 2011 legislative activities, points out Grumpy Editor.
But many non-legislative days lie ahead, too.
Thus, as a guidance (or score card) to taxpayers, Grumpy Editor ---in this special compilation that you won’t find in your local newspapers --- unveils this year’s non-legislative periods (subject to change and including Saturdays and Sundays) for both the Senate and the House.
Washington media covering Congress also enjoy time off from the beat. Yet, they are likely to imply that just about every day, even during holiday periods, carries a full slate of pursuits by lawmakers busy in their Washington offices.
The many non-legislative days ahead give reporters ample opportunities to tidy up their desks.
Note: “State work period” for the Senate and “constituent work week” for the House often translate into free time and overseas “fact finding” trips.
Scanning this schedule, taxpayers may be surprised at the high number of non-legislative days in coming months.
Examples: No sooner are both chambers together again when in about four weeks both the Senate and the House take a break from legislation between Feb. 19 and Feb. 27. The House, meanwhile, takes a break at the end of this week, returning Feb. 7.
Non-legislative days:
2011 Senate schedule, 112th Congress
Feb. 19 – 27, state work period
March 19 – 27, state work period
April 16 – May 1, state work period
May 28 – June 5, state work period
July 2 – July 10, state work period, with Independence Day
Aug. 6 – Sept. 5, state work period
Sept. 24 – Oct. 2, state work period
Oct. 10, Columbus Day
Oct. 22 – Oct. 30, state work period
Nov. 11, Veterans Day
Target adjournment date to be determined
2011 House schedule, 112th Congress
Jan.29 – Feb. 6, constituent work week
Feb. 19 – 27, constituent work week
March 19 – 27, constituent work week
April 16 to May 1, spring recess
May 14 – 22, constituent work week
May 30, Memorial Day
June 4 – 12, constituent work week
June 25 – July 5, constituent work plus Independence Day
July 16 – 24, constituent work week
Aug. 6 – Sept. 5, August recess, with Labor Day
Sept. 24 – Oct. 2, constituent work week
Oct. 10, Columbus Day
Oct. 15 – Oct. 23 constituent work week
Nov. 5 – 13, constituent work week, including Veterans Day
Nov. 19 – 27, constituent work week
Nov. 24 – 27, Thanksgiving
Dec. 8, target for adjournment
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