The U.S. House of Representatives is now on summer vacation

[whistle]

....a well deserved break considering they have accomplishing nothing during this session :sarcasm:

<snip>
Estate Tax, Wage Hike Teetering In Senate
Other Issues Likely To Go Unresolved

By Jonathan Weisman and Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, July 30, 2006; A01



The House completed its summer work in a flurry of post-midnight debates and votes yesterday, approving changes to the federal minimum wage, estate taxes and pension laws. But with deep divisions lurking in the Senate, it all may go for naught, as have so many other recent efforts, leaving the two chambers open to perhaps the loudest taunts of "do-nothing Congress" in decades.

Despite their control of the House, Senate and White House, Republicans have been unable to reach accord on immigration, lobbying reform, military tribunals, Social Security and even nuts-and-bolts measures such as a 2007 budget plan. Lawmakers still have time to pass some of that legislation, but not much.

House members left town yesterday for the August recess, and senators are expected to follow suit in a few days. When both chambers reconvene after Labor Day, they will have 15 scheduled work days before their planned final adjournment for the fall elections.

Democrats have poked fun at the GOP-run Congress's long weekends and frequent recesses before, but the "do-nothing" jibes may carry more sting as November balloting nears. Republicans face their lowest approval ratings in a decade, and Democrats feel they are close to retaking the House -- and conceivably the Senate -- in the midterm elections.
<....>
"The do-nothing Congress got that moniker not for the days it met but for the lack of work it did," <Minority Whip Steny H.> Hoyer (D-Md.) said. "If this Republican Congress addressed health-care issues, the minimum wage, lobbying reform and energy independence, and did it all in 10 days, the American people would say, 'That's great.' But they're not doing anything."

<more>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/28/AR2006072800337_pf.html

[Democrats_win]

1. Opposite of progress is CONGRESS.

[whistle]

8. That seems to be correct....

[Bozita]

2. Don't tell Dubya. He'd be really jealous.

Georgie does August.

[Robbien]

3. I would rather they be on break

Every day they are in session they are passing bills which pick our pockets to give our money over to corporate lobby clients.

Any day they are not in session is a day we are safe from their looting.

[badgerpup]

4. Hey! Let's pull a "Bolton" on Congress!

They're on vacation, so let's choose our own reps and slide them in under the radar.
Fait accompli...and when they return...
"Might as well go back on 'vacation', people...we have REAL work to do here."
:bounce:

[whistle]

10. What would happen if the Democrats of the house decided to remain

...in session and conducted floor votes on democratic issues and passed bills favoring their agenda? I know they would be ruled as violating house rules, but have the democrats just do that as a demonstration to the voters of unity, solidarity and a desire to take back government for and by the people.

[bluethruandthru]

5. Hey...but at least they had some really

important discussions about flag-burning and gay marriage, right? Those are the important issues! :sarcasm:

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Good, now they can 'do nothing' on their own time.

[Skidmore]

7. Wheew! That means the American people can catch a break

from being screwed for a while.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. Time warp - summer = 6 years???? hope they stay away....wouldn't

be missed.

[watercolors]

11. I wish it could be a permenent one!

Too much to wish for!