Every August, Congress takes a break from the Capitol with a monthlong recess. However, representatives may want to wait before they start packing up their Hawaiian shirts and fanny packs for vacation.
The Hill reported that the lack of progress on tax reform, health care, and other bills has resulted in some Republican lawmakers calling for a cancellation of the August break.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) supports canceling the recess and told The Hill, “We have a huge agenda. I think we can get a lot of it done, but what we don’t have is time.”
Fortunately, he believes the time issue can be solved because if they add more legislation days, they can “make more time.”
Without significant progress being made in regard to spending bills and the budget, the government is faced with a possible shutdowncome September. Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) explained that if a tax package isn’t “on the books,” the hard reality is that America could wind up in another recession.
With so many loose ends, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) fully supports staying to get the job done and told The Hill:
“Congress has no business taking a recess when the people’s business remains unfinished.”
Perdue claimed a “majority” supports the cancellation; however, not everyone is as convinced. A Republican Senate aide doubts that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will get on board with the idea.
The aide also noted that when members suggest staying in Washington, D.C., to work, “there’s usually a [congressional delegation] trip” that’s already been planned.
Earlier in June, the Freedom Caucus called on the Republican leadership to cancel the summer recess, according to Politico.
The Hill reported that neither McConnell nor Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) have commented on if they support working through the summer.