It's the start of a new school year on Capitol Hill.
But not actually until next week.
what?
Even though millions of children returned to school just after Labor Day, in late August, or in some cases, in early August, Congress still The fall semester hasn't started yet.
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That comes on Monday, September 9, when the House and Senate will return to legislative activity for the first time in more than a month. The Senate last voted on August 1. The House was supposed to be in session by then, too. But the House cut a full week off its July schedule, abandoning Washington a week early.
However, the situation around the Capitol is beginning to return to normal.
And I, along with several members of the congressional press corps, have begun returning to the Capitol this week.
As the recess of both chambers draws to a close, reporters and staff are returning to Capitol Hill and getting accustomed to the congressional atmosphere. (Aaron Schwartz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
My mother taught second grade in Ohio for decades, and she would usually return to school for a few days in late August for conferences and to prepare her classroom for the new semester.
So congressional aides, administration staff and reporters returned to the Capitol this week to “prep the room” for the new school year.
But the analogy between Congress resuming its sessions and students returning to classrooms is incomplete. This isn't the start of a new Congress. There aren't new teachers or new lockers. There aren't new students from other schools. There isn't the energy of hope and opportunity that comes with a new school year permeating the air. Capitol Hill in September is much the same as it was in July. The “real” start of the “school year” is the swearing-in ceremony for the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025, at noon. Then new people will show up. There will be new chairs and chairpersons of committees. Some lawmakers will take on new positions. Capitol Hill is usually buzzing with optimism.
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At this time, what students and Diet members have in common is Outside Getting away from school. This universal desire is shared by students and politicians all year round. Everyone wants to get away from school. They want to be free. They want a break.
Although it's probably appropriate to call periods when Congress is not in session “recesses,” some appearance-conscious lawmakers prefer to call these breaks “constituency periods,” which is more dignified and peaceful.
Can you imagine students calling anything after the seventh period “homework period”? “Algebra II supplement”? How about “Earth Science supplement”?
If there is one thing that American students and members of Congress have in common, it is their longing for the so-called summer vacation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Tell me, what would a college student in Panama City call spring break? “Sprint semester at the beach.” Maybe “Guide to local open container laws.” Maybe “Exploring the Caribbean legal system.”
But back to Congress.
It's an election year, and the lawmakers can't wait to get out of here. They haven't been here all summer.
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Congress had little legislative activity throughout the year. The assassination attempt on former President Trump and the backroom struggle among Democrats to convince President Biden to step down dominated everyone's attention this summer. The last major bill Congress worked on was introduced in April. Congress finally approved a package of bills to fund the government. last October. And Congress approved aid for Israel and Ukraine. Other than that, there wasn't much for Congress to do other than get through the convention. Now we have elections for the House and Senate, which are closely divided. Same for the presidential election. So there's not much to do in Congress. Retired or defeated primaries will be happy to leave Washington early.
This isn't exactly “back to school.” In Congressional parlance, fall is often reminiscent of what students experience in the spring: It's hot outside, minds wander, and teachers struggle to keep everyone focused. Everyone is looking forward to the new school year. summer Rest. It's like the seasons are reversed in Congress.
Another apt comparison is that Congress is like a school; it doesn't recess until lawmakers finish class. In Congress, that equates to funding the government. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The House is scheduled to meet for four days next week. Then for four days the week of September 15th. And finally, for five days the week of August 22nd. That ends on Tuesday, November 12th. But the House (emphasis mine) Done) will be returned the last week of September, unless Congress funds the government and there is a possibility of a government shutdown on October 1, at which point the government's new fiscal year begins.
Yes, just like schools, Parliament has to finish its work before recess. But sometimes Parliament can't meet the deadline and make-up classes are needed. “Summer classes”, but in Parliament's eyes, they are “autumn/winter classes”. Or even “spring classes”. Remember, the last time Parliament was able to fully fund the government, it was only in April this year. Parliament took just three seasons. What will the principal do when low-performing students finish their work, as they have this Parliament?
But like students, lawmakers have similar motivations: They'll do anything to get home. To the beach. To take a break. Or, in this case, to campaign.
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House Republicans are struggling to raise funds. Democrats are on the offensive after Harris took over as VP. Both parties know the House depends on a small number of seats. And whichever party wins the White House will likely determine which party controls the House in 2025.
In other words, the motivations on both sides are the same.
The Senate is similar, but Democrats have a tougher task of maintaining their slim 51-49 majority. West Virginia will likely be lost with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin (IW.Va.), who caucuses with the Democrats. Democrats also need to pick up swing seats in Republican-leaning states like Ohio and Montana, not to mention holding on to seats in battleground states like Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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So, for now, school is back in session. And it doesn't matter if Congress does its homework between now and the end of the term. A big test is coming. Voters are going to give their lawmakers a big education on Election Day.
