What is Congress and what does it do?
Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is made up of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and declaring war. Members of Congress are elected by the people and serve terms of either two or six years.
Congress is in Recess. What does that mean?
When Congress is in recess, it means that they are not currently meeting. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as during summer break or over the holidays. During this time, members of Congress are back in their home districts and are not voting on any legislation. However, they may still be working on other tasks, such as fundraising or meeting with constituents.
How often does Congress recess?
Congress typically recesses for a month in August, as well as for a week or two around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They may also recess for other reasons, such as to allow members to campaign during election season. In total, Congress typically recesses for about three months out of the year.
How is a recess determined and what does it mean for Congress members and staffers?
A recess is typically determined by the Senate Majority Leader, but can also be called by other members of Congress. It usually lasts for about a week, but can be longer or shorter depending on the situation. During a recess, Congress members and staffers are not required to be in Washington, D.C., but may still choose to work on legislative business from their home districts. This break allows them to meet with constituents and attend other events. It also gives them time to work on fundraising for their next election.
What happens during a recess?
While Congress is in recess, not much will change. Members of Congress will still be able to work on legislation from their home districts, but they will not be voting on any legislation . This break is typically used for meeting with constituents and attending events.