OMG this is BIG! ...... this is a must read ..... breaking headline tonight on Fox News.

[mick063]

10. Recess!

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Why does Congress get so much vacation?

By Christopher Beam|Posted Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at 7:11 PM

Unless Nancy Pelosi says otherwise, Congress will break for its annual recess on Aug. 3 and return Sept. 4. Lawmakers already enjoyed weeklong breaks this year in February and May, plus a two-week hiatus in April. Why does Congress get so much vacation?


To meet with constituents. Members of Congress don't like to think of themselves as on vacation, which is why they call their recesses "work breaks" or "home-district periods" rather than "time off." Depending on how safe their seat is—and the proximity of the next election—members will probably spend some portion of the recess attending town halls, meeting with community leaders, or visiting local haunts like barbershops to take their district's temperature. But they're free to do as they please—like stay in Washington, D.C., travel abroad with congressional delegations, or work on a tan.

Leaders of both parties meet at the beginning of each year to set a work schedule, which Congress must then approve. Members typically take a week or two for major holidays—Easter, July 4, Memorial Day—plus the month of August. Leaders also set a target date for adjournment—this year, they're shooting for Oct. 30—but Congress often works into December. (The target adjournment date is earlier during election years to allow time for campaigning.) Members then have time off until the next session begins on Jan. 3. This year, Congress is scheduled to be in session just 137 days.

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