Oh, To Work As Few Days As The House Will In 2017

You’d think our representatives would have a lot of work to do over the next four years.

Yet once again, the U.S. House of Representatives stands to make a lot more money than most of us in 2017, while clocking in for a fraction of the time.

The average member will pocket $174,000 while showing up to the office just 145 out of 261 work days in 2017, according to the updated calendar released by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

For reference, the median American income in 2015 was $56,516, according to Census data, while the average employee reported working 47 hours a week ― nearly six days ― and taking just 14 days off per year.

As for our lawmakers, just look at all that white space:

Some of these recess days are set aside for reps to meet with their constituents during “District Work Weeks” (which provides a little justification for having the entirety of August off). But they’re not actually required to work those days, and they certainly won’t be getting any legislation done outside of D.C.

To be fair, the House will be working a little more than usual. In 2013 and 2014, members worked 126 days and 113 days, respectively.

It appears that the 115th Congress may not be the least productive in history. But compared to your average American worker, your average elected official is going to look like a slacker.