The Do Nothing Congress

I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Congress is slated to work only 97 days in 2006. This is 11 shorter than the famed "Do Nothing Congress" of 1948, which worked a total of 108 days.

I guess it is good since the less time the Republican controlled congress is in session, the less time they have to screw things up.

Although, I think their $165,000 a year salary should be proportional to the amount of time they work.

Lawmakers get out of the House
By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY
Mon Mar 20, 6:48 AM ET

The House of Representatives is on track this year to be in session for fewer days than the Congress Harry Truman labeled as "do-nothing" during his 1948 re-election campaign.

Members of Congress are taking an entire week off for St. Patrick's Day. It's the latest scheduling innovation to give members more time to meet with constituents.

Through Friday, the House was in session for 19 days, compared with 33 for the Senate. If they stick to their current schedule - including two weeks off in April, a week in May and July, plus all of August - House members will spend 97 days in Washington this year.

The House was in session 108 days in 1948, according to the chamber's archives, compared with 141 days last year.

(Full story)