Why is the Senate in recess for a full week for Colombus Day.

[Mass]

It really seems as if the leadership could not care less! With everything that is going on, they are not working for a full week!

Or do they want to give Bush a chance to make more recess appointments?

:banghead:

[Tesla]

1. This is when all the signing off goes on.......

[babylonsister]

2. Thank you. I heard yesterday they're taking off AGAIN next week.

It's absurd imo. And watch what damage might be done before they leave, then scurry off. I've noticed a bit of a pattern there.

[meegbear]

3. self-delete

Misread OP.

[EST]

4. The US congress, as an entity, does not regard mere presence

Washington as evidence of "work."
They feel, and many times rightfully so, that they are pretty much always working.
For many, at least the more industrious ones, this is true.
They hold meetings, town hall fora, and other functions that are, in fact, contributory to their work as legislators.

To some, perhaps, it is just a big party, but most congress critters are, indeed, not "off duty" simply because their jobs don't include physical presence in the halls of congress.

[havocmom]

5. Um, because PART OF THEIR JOB is to communicate with constituents?

What, you only want them to meet with constituents who are wealthy enough to fly to D.C. to get five minutes of face time?

Their JOB is not just on the Hill.

[Mass]

6. And they have a lot of recess for that. Congress just came back from a

one month recess and will recess again November 16. Add to that that many are not in DC from Thursday night to Tuesday morning, except if there is a very major vote.

And somehow, I guess I took Reid to his word when he said there would be a lot less recess than with a Republican Congress. Was he wrong when he complained that the Senate was too much in recess?

[havocmom]

8. They have to visit at home or they can't do their jobs

Sitting in the Capital building is not necessarily working. NOT being there is not necessarily NOT working. Their jobs REQUIRE time away from D.C. Can you grant that?

Or is it just more fun to complain about them?

[flashl]

7. The 109th worked two-day work week n/t

[UTUSN]

9. Not to mention that in most of the Americas, it's marked as Dia de la Raza

to make the point of its marking the onset of European genocide of indigenous people.