it’s time to go to school now Capitol Hill,
But that won’t actually happen until next week.
What?
Although millions of children returned to school just after Labor Day, in late August, or in some cases, early August, Congress still session hasn’t started yet For autumn.
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That will happen on Monday, Sept. 9. That’s the day the House and Senate return to legislative action for the first time in more than a month. The Senate last voted on Aug. 1. Home The House was supposed to be in session by then, too. But the House cut its schedule short by a full week in July, forcing Washington to shut down a week early.
But the situation around the Capitol is starting to return to normal.
And I — along with some members of the Congressional press — began arriving back to the Capitol this week.
Reporters and staffers alike are returning to Capitol Hill and getting busy with the work of Congress as both houses conclude their session. (Aaron Schwartz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
My mom taught second grade for decades in OhioAnd she usually returned to school for a few days in late August for meetings and to prepare her room for the new school year.
So, some congressional aides, administration staff and a few reporters returned to the Capitol this week to “prep their rooms” for the new school year.
But the metaphors of Congress returning to session are similar to students returning to class. This is not the beginning of a new Congress. People don’t have new teachers and new lockers. There are no new kids from other schools. The promise and energy of opportunity associated with a new year does not pervade the air. Everything on Capitol Hill in September is the same as it was in July. The “real” start of the “school year” is at noon on January 3, 2025 when they take the oath of office for the 119th Congress. That’s when new people emerge. There are new chairmen and chairmen of committees. Some lawmakers get new positions. The Capitol is generally full of optimism.
The only commonality between students and members of Congress this time of year is their desire to connect with one another. Outside To get out of school. This universal desire is common among students and lawmakers throughout the year. Everyone wants to get out. Wants to be free. Wants to be on vacation.
Perhaps it’s more appropriate that they call congressional recesses “vacations.” However, some scene-conscious lawmakers often refer to such breaks as the more dignified and harmless “district work periods.”
Can you imagine students referring to anything after 7th period as “homework period”? “Algebra II enrichment?” What about “Earth Science supplements”?
If any comparison can be made between American students and their congressional representatives, it is their shared longing for so-called summer “vacation.” (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Please, what would a college student in Panama City call spring break? “Sprint semester by the sea.” Maybe “A guide to local open container laws.” Maybe “A survey of legal systems.” In the Caribbean,
But let’s come back to the Congress.
It’s an election year. And lawmakers are anxious to get out of here — even if they haven’t been here all summer.
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Legislative action in Congress remained light throughout the year. former president trump And this summer, the secret battle among Democrats to remove President Biden from office has captured everyone’s attention. The last major bill dealt with by Congress came in April. Congress finally approved a set of bills to fund the government — the ones that were due Last October. And Congress gives the green light to aid Israel and UkraineBesides, Congress has had little to do other than go through conventions. Now it’s the turn of the election, where both the House and Senate are tied. The same is true with the presidential election. So there’s not much to do on Capitol Hill. And lawmakers who are retiring or lost their primaries are happy to get out of Washington early.
So it’s hardly “back to school.” In the words of Congress, fall often reminds students of what happens in the spring. It’s getting warmer outside. Minds wander. Teachers struggle to keep everyone focused. Everyone is looking forward to it Heat It seems as if the weather has changed in Congress.
A more accurate comparison: Congress, like school, does not recess until its representatives have completed their coursework — which, according to Capitol Hill, is the equivalent of ceasing to fund the government. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The House is scheduled to meet for four days next week. Then four days the week of September 15. And finally, five days the week of August 22. That will be the case until Tuesday, November 12. But there is also talk that the House (I will underline) can) The funds will be returned in the last week of September — if Congress funds the government and there is no chance of a shutdown — on October 1. That’s when the government’s new fiscal year begins.
Yes, like school, Congress must complete its work before the holidays. But sometimes Congress cannot meet deadlines and needs a remedial course. “Summer school.” That’s the only “fall and winter school” Congress sees. Or even “spring school.” Remember, the last time it took Congress until last April to fully fund the government, they spent three sessions alone. It’s not at all clear what the principal would have done with delinquent students like this congressman who are completing their work.
But Congress, like the students, has the same intentions. Anything to go home. To the beach. To relax. Or, in this case, to campaign.
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The Republican Party in the House is struggling to raise funds. This issue has been under discussion ever since they formed an alliance with the Democratic Party. Vice President HarrisBoth parties know that House seats will depend on a handful of seats. And it’s likely that whichever party occupies the White House will dictate who controls the House in 2025.
Therefore the motivation on both sides is the same.
The situation is the same in the Senate — although Democrats face a tougher challenge in maintaining their narrow 51-49 majority. Sen. Joe Manchin, IW.V., who caucuses with Democrats, is likely to lose West Virginia when he retires. And Democrats will have to hold on to swing seats in red states like Ohio and Montana. To say nothing of retaining seats in battleground states like Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin,
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So now school is back. And it doesn’t matter whether Congress hits the books between now and the end of the term. A big test is coming. Voters will give lawmakers plenty of lessons on Election Day.
