There was plenty of grumbling in December when the new Democratic congressional leadership announced that lawmakers could forget about the two- and three-day work weeks they enjoyed during the GOP’s reign; from now on, Congress would work five days a week.
Most of the complaining happened before the new schedule was even implemented. Now that it’s actually happening, opposition is growing more intense.
Even before Democratic leaders have made good on promises to harness lawmakers five days a week, cross-party opposition is growing, with senators ready to revolt and House members simmering over the new schedule.
The most popular move afoot would have lawmakers working for three weeks at a stretch with a week off — or some variation on that theme, several House and Senate members said. Such a schedule would roughly reflect the one in practice under previous Republican rule in the Senate.
“They should really work us so we get things done, then give us a few weeks off so we can do the Kiwanis Clubs and all that,” said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. “If you leave early Monday, yes, you can get here for a 4:30 vote, but you lose the whole working day of Monday.”
At this point, the complaints aren’t working. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the schedule is set and isn’t going to change. After acknowledging that he’s heard a lot about the plan to have three weeks on, one week off, Reid said, “We’ll look at it, but nothing’s going to change this year.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding firm on the existing schedule.
As much as I approve of the current five-day work week, it’s probably worth noting that the other side of the coin has a legitimate case to make.
James Joyner explains.
Once upon a time, Congress was in session for a few months at a time and then out for long recesses, especially during the days before air conditioning when summers on the Potomac were too hot to endure. Nowadays, though, Members have to juggle year-round sessions with the reality of the permanent campaign. Senators and, especially, Representatives are expected to be back home every weekend so that they can judge the Little Miss Peapatch contest, eat barbecue, and kiss babies.
My conservative instincts on these matters [have] me torn. On the one hand, it seemed somehow wrong that Members were being paid a handsome salary for a three day work week that involved them spending our money on pork projects to help get themselves re-elected and then spending the other four days back home (on their dime) working to get re-elected. On the other, if they spend five days a week in Washington, they’re going to cause 40% more mischief. Forced to chose, I’d rather them go home.
That’s a decent pitch, but I’m inclined to disagree. Not only are lawmakers are well compensated, they’ve also had several years of “down time” in which very little happened in the halls of Congress. A couple of years of five-day work weeks will help make up for lost time.
“That’s what I signed up for,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “We shouldn’t complain about a little inconvenience. I got a lot of people in my state working two five-day weeks,” he added, referring to constituents with two or more jobs.
If Congress is looking for sympathy on this one, lawmakers are likely to be very disappointed.