Senate Productivity Under Scrutiny

Did you know that the U.S. Senate has only conducted business for 79 days this year? That’s just about 40% of its session. And so far, there’s been no legislation aimed at securing elections, controlling inflation, cutting spending, or preventing another government shutdown.

I mean, it’s a bit surprising, isn’t it? Working roughly 2.5 days a week and yet not much being accomplished seems kind of crazy. I think if there’s so little going on, it should easily take a full week to get things done.

Just to give you an update, the Senate hasn’t acted on some crucial commitments made to the American people, like securing elections through the SAVE America Act.

Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike seem to support voter ID laws and ensuring only citizens can register to vote, which is a core part of the SAVE Act. Yet here we are, and the Senate still hasn’t passed it or even decided how to move forward.

There’s definitely a need to change the way we operate. In the past, senators would arrive in Washington, debate, vote, and then head home. But, unfortunately, that’s not the reality anymore. Over the past few decades, whether under Democratic or Republican leadership, the Senate has become pretty dysfunctional, and it’s affecting the American public.

Right now, it’s typical to see fewer than 10 votes in a week. Senators show up late on Mondays and leave as soon as they can on Thursday afternoons. Fridays? Rarely in session. And weekends? Don’t count on it—even when pressing matters are on the table that affect the well-being and security of Americans.

The stakes go beyond just election security. We still need to fund the government, especially to prevent further Democratic-induced shutdowns. Spending cuts are also critical to reducing inflation and interest rates, which are really taking a toll on many Americans.

America is, without a doubt, a great country. We have a robust economy built by everyday workers striving for a better life. The Senate needs to reflect that same work ethic. With the election coming up in November, why are we only showing up for 2.5 days when there’s plenty to tackle?

This isn’t just about any one party or person; it’s more about a trend that has worsened over time. Congressional productivity has really suffered, and it seems senators leave for home on Thursdays when there’s still work left to do.

Of course, I think everyone wants to be with their families as much as possible. That’s a pretty universal desire. But, that’s not the job folks signed up for when they ran for office. It’s definitely not what I promised to the people in Florida. My commitment was to do everything I could to help them achieve their dreams and ensure their safety and freedom.

So, time is running out. If we hope to get everything done by November, we need to stay in Washington and figure it out. It’s going to require collaboration instead of just walking away when things get tough.

You can’t accept “no” for an answer, and giving up is not an option.

In the upcoming weeks, I plan to take my ideas directly to the Senate floor. This is important; I need to hold true to what I urged Floridians to support.

Let’s address these problems together. Stop heading home right after lunch on Thursdays, start voting more, and keep your promises. That’s what the American people deserve.