House Will Return To Five-Day Work Week In 2009

The Hill:

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: The Hill

Comments

[bboyy]

!and a half years ago, we were watching Iraq, Iraq took us off the ball, we need to pay attention to America. Borders, ports, schools, manufacturing jobs, screw the rest ofthe world. U.S.A.

[OutsiderSA]

Another planet usa person I see...

Hint:

The USA is part of teh worlde not teh other way round.

[aweissnet]

Other governments of civilized countries take care of their citizens first. That is a priority, in other, more civilized countries ....

How can you support total neglect and disregard for the people's needs here? There are people hungry, homeless, sick ...

But if you're not experiencing any of those problems, don't worry yourself a bit. Just pretend it's really not happening.

[Pquilson]

Please. Work only one day a week. At least they can't screw things up as badly if they only work a little.
What was it that Will Rogers said: The republic is safe. Congress is out of session.

[special muppet]

This is the kind of bull that got us into this mess. Republicans elect members whose primary objective is to make sure that the federal government doesn't work. Instead it wastes hundreds of millions of tax dollars achieving absolutely nothing, except trying to end the separation of church and state.

The fact is that the federal government is important. We need good, capable people there. The result of not doing that is exactly what we are seeing now. Disaster. Thanks Republicans, give yourself a pat on the back for every American who is losing his or her job.

[aweissnet]

Well, it surely does appear as if their work has led to this disaster. I'm afraid to see them work more. Every time they meet they're giving money away, and we're losing more jobs. That's all.

[Bubba Gump]

CORRECTION: (18x4) + (11x5) = 127, not 137.

Is it just me, or are the Congressmen trying to sell us that 18 weeks of 4 work days and 11 weeks of 5 work days is a tough sacrifice and a model of efficiency? At $169,300 per year for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate (not counting further benefits), for 127 work days, that's $166.63 per hour (based on an 8 hour work day). I'm still not impressed.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

[Bubba Gump]

By the way, the Federal Minimum Wage for Average Joes is $6.55 per hour.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm

[special muppet]

I think they should get more. We have just lived through eight long years of a president, and six of them with a congress simply trying to make themselves rich at our expense. I say, make them rich doing their goddam job, so they don't feel the need to do it by waging unnecessary wars or by distorting science.

[ChristiB]

So these jokers have only been working 4 day weeks (or less)? - No friggin' wonder nothing gets done!

[Bariis]

Damn, I wished I worked 4-day work weeks, received 6-week vacations, received excellent benefits AND got a killer salary like the ones in a 3-piece. That would've been something.

[fairywhatnot]

Another flash-in-the-pan. :( They promised that already in 2006, and did it for a while, while people were watching, but then reverted to their old lazy days.
How long do you think it will last THIS time around? One year? 1/2 year?

[moongal6]

Pssssst, everybody is watching now.

[bboyy]

WWWWWHHHaa­aatttttttt

[WhiteDelyte]

in order to make government even more efficient.
democrats should work 6 days a week.
republicans should call in sick.

[westcoastsc]

try seven days. they need to work seven days a week.

[sonoffestus]

This give them an opportunity to screw up even more!

[deminmo]

So 18 4 day weeks and less 5 day weeks? Shouldn't it be
the other way around? And do they work an 8 hr day or is it
more like 4, what with morning meetings, lunch and usually
leaving by 5pm?
What the heck are the rest of us doing out here! WE need
this job!

[FaceYourFears]

I believe that if the people of this nation fully understood what Congress has done to them over the last 49 years, they would move on Washington; they would not wait for an election..­. It adds up to a preconceived plan to destroy the economic and social independence of the United States!


--George W. Malone

[Shadow08]

They have to. There will be a stern taskmaster in the oval office. He wants things on a fast track.

[drock973]

Didn't they promise to do this in 2006?

[Grunty1]

But what's the point when Bush is going to block anything useful anyways?

[EricHayes]

I think maybe the message is finally getting to these guys that, if they actually get things accomplished, they won't have to spend half the week telling their constituents what a great job they're doing. How's that old adage go? "Actions speak louder than words"?