House Will Return To Five-Day Work Week In 2009

House Democratic leaders have decided to lengthen the congressional workweek next year as they try to implement President-elect Obama's agenda and clear a backlog of priorities no longer subject to the veto of President Bush.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) released a 2009 schedule on Friday that includes 11 five-day weeks and 18 four-day weeks. The House is scheduled to be in session for 137 days before the target adjournment date of Oct. 30.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[demfriend]

I truly believe that Congress has taken their eyes of the ball for s long that the five days a week might be a start but the attitudes must also change so that the responsibilities we elected them to tak charge of get done. Also until they all have the Constitution tatted on them where they have to read it and respect it I will think less of them as they are a part of allowing Bush fre reign as well as letting him start wars on lies without doing any checks to do the balance in the Constitution. I will withhold any more until I see them working with Barack.

[Jigglypuff]

Getting the House to work the normal five day work-week is a start but, how much money would the country save if we could get our government, (legislative, judicial and executive branches) to take a pay cut?

[Madmac]

Aw that means that t0ol jack kingston will wh1ne about having to work for a living...

[hortonhearsawho]

Can't imagine what overtime pays..

[Joeblue]

They should be payed min. wage and see how long it would take them to pass a bill to make it right.

[hortonhearsawho]

Saint Congress...sounds to odd. yes mother I prayed to the Congresses.

[Wilbur]

A five-day work week....for CONGRESS? "Oh, the humanity!!"

Wilbur

[Jesster]

Hmmm, maybe now they'll have the time to actually READ and debate important bills before they just mindlessly vote on them - usually along equally mindless party lines

[spiderbucket]

Just in case any of them are reading....here is what the American people expect:

8 hours days with two 15 minute breaks and a one hour lunch - paid for with YOUR money
5 day work weeks
we will grant you the typical government holidays
two weeks vacation
5 sick days
1 personal day a month

That's what most of US get if we're lucky.

Do some work for the people for a change.

[partyofone]

i"m confused. Nancy Pelosi made te same commitment to lengthen the Congressional work week two years ago. What happened to that commitment?

[hortonhearsawho]

it got commited.

[GeoLee]

Well, that is nearly 60 days fewer than every public school teacher in the country...most of whom earn 25% of what congressmen do. Whata gig. FYI that means the average congresman and congresswoman earns.....are you ready? ......................over $1226 a DAY. .. plus benefits. Now how does that make you feel about the job they are doing?

[gbrooks]

Even worse. We should be pushing for reductions in salary for all of our congresspeople and senators--we're in a recession after all, and we should all cut back.

[Jigglypuff]

Our government also needs to take reductions in pay in the Legislative Branch, (and why not the Executive and Judicial branches as well). Their pay cuts are warranted in this economic climate and in light of their poor performance ratings with the American people, (and since we cannot fire them). Further, they could show their patriotism and support of regular Americans by voluntarily taking a pay cut - as was done by lawmakers during the Great Depression in 1932 and 1933. Here's one petition telling Congress to take a pay cut:
http://www.rallycongress.com/letters2congress/1377/tell-congress-to-take-a-pay-cut/

[1success]

Wow, 5 day work weeks?! Unheard of!! How noble!

While the economy circles the drain and people are losing their jobs, or if they are lucky enough to still have a job, they're most likely underpaid and over worked.

You guys should be so proud!! In fact, here have a raise. You've earned it!!

[zippy2112]

These guys should lead by example and take a pay cut. I don't know how much they make, but i am as sure as a "porcupine at a nudist colony" that they are over paid and under taxed.

[GeoLee]

I believe the lowest paid get 168 grand/yr...unless they are getting a CO:A increase...while many of us take our COLA decreases.

[bannorhill]

Wow.........congress is going to work 137 days next year. our company will be open 250 days. Why don't the work 250 days a year like other government employees?

[meede]

I don't believe the 137 days includes the days in their states as some of them do work in their states. Not everyone is like Dole -- which is one of the reasons she lost along with the ads.

[Awakenedcitizen]

because they are back in their states, working with constituents when they are not in session.

[GeoLee]

I dn't thik so...they take junkets paid for by lobbyists and "fact finding missions" paid by those of us who won't be traveling anywher this year. Get real..What little asian country are Mc Cain, Lieberman and the Seantor for South Carolina in tonight?

[lochnessmonster]

I don't believe for one moment they will ever allow their hands to be soiled by toil!

[marlovian]

Allen Iverson calls it practice. Politicians call it work.