Civic Register
| 1.23.22

House & Senate On Recess as Gov’t Funding Deadline Looms

How do you feel about this week’s congressional schedule (or lack thereof)?

What’s happening in Congress?

  • Both chambers of Congress are on recess this week and many lawmakers will be back in their districts until early next week when the House and Senate are scheduled to return to the Capitol. No committee hearings, whether in-person or remote, are scheduled to occur in either chamber this week.
  • When lawmakers return, much of the focus for the next three weeks will be on negotiating a spending deal for the rest of fiscal year 2022 ahead of the February 18th funding deadline. A bipartisan agreement will be necessary for any funding legislation to overcome the Senate’s legislative filibuster, although it’s unclear whether the Democratic majorities in both chambers will be willing to set aside partisan riders to secure Republican support. 
  • If a deal on discretionary appropriations for the rest of FY2022 can’t be reached, it’s possible that lawmakers will resort to another continuing resolution to extend funding at previously-enacted levels to prevent a partial government shutdown from occurring on February 19th.
  • The House is also expected to consider legislation to bolster America’s economic and geopolitical competitiveness relative to counter China. It’s unclear whether the House’s bill will be bipartisan or whether it will be negotiated with the Senate, which passed its version of the legislation ― the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act ― on a bipartisan 68-32 vote in June 2021.
  • Senate Democrats are expected to shift their attention to confirming nominees to executive branch and judicial posts after their unsuccessful effort to change the legislative filibuster for election reform legislation. It’s possible that bipartisan negotiations may begin in earnest on legislation to revise the Electoral Count Act, which 
  • Additionally, Democrats in both chambers of Congress are going back to the drawing board on the “Build Back Better Act” ― a multi-trillion dollar social spending plan that has been the centerpiece of President Joe Biden’s agenda. The bill has stalled in the Senate amid opposition by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and tepid support from other moderate Democratic lawmakers. 
  • Democrats’ intra-party negotiations are essentially going “back to square one” and party leaders are hoping to coalesce support from both the moderate and progressive wings of the party on a scaled-down package, but it’s unclear whether they will be able to successfully bridge the divide.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

  • The House is not expected to be in session.
  • Next votes are scheduled for Tuesday, February 1st.

SENATE

  • The Senate is not expected to be in session.
  • Next votes are scheduled for Monday, January 31st.


— Eric Revell

  • 38
    Diana
    02/09/2022

    We have so much that needs to be addressed. Congress needs to be in session as much as I'm working for a full-time job.

  • 1,393
    Steve
    01/30/2022

    I want to know why all Trump's absurdities have not been reversed.

  • 304
    Kathy
    01/28/2022

    Is this recess so the representatives of the People are running home to make more stock deals for themselves?

  • 34
    Hvaden
    01/28/2022

    Federal employees are tired of being pawns in this partisan game of chicken.

  • 8,997
    Charles
    01/27/2022

    WAY TOO MANY "RECESSES. WE the TAXPAYERS HIRED YOU TO DO YOUR JOBS!

  • 87
    Lawrence
    01/26/2022

    Need term limits. Congress has lost touch with everyday people

  • 104
    DeeCheri
    01/26/2022

    Get these bills passed!

  • 1,810
    Shari
    01/26/2022

    The terrorist party of hate keeps anything from happening with their obstruction. They don’t even need to show up on the house floor, all they have to do is phone in a filibuster and bills don’t even get a discussion. How is this even democratic or forward moving for ur country.

  • 468
    burrkitty
    01/25/2022

    Y’all… Congressional recess schedules are public. I can tell you the recess schedule for all of 2022. It’s not like they just decided to take a break. It’s all planned out in advance so they know when they can go back to their state and work. That’s what they are. State Work Weeks. It’s not a vacation.

  • 51
    Carey
    01/26/2022

    Most people have to actually show up and do their jobs before they get paid!

  • 87
    Steve
    01/26/2022

    Einstein once said “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Our Constitution was written in 1787 and is in danger of becoming irrelevant in this decade, for many reasons. -Many Americans have little confidence in the Presidency after the Trump insurrection, falling to 12% from 26%. Presidents have been unable to repair the divisions we now face -The Supreme Court is losing voter confidence with 66% indicating that there decisions are politically driven -It seems that Congress, especially Republicans, are more focused on there social media score than passing legislation. Additionally Congress delegated it’s prime purpose, passing legislation and declaring war, to the Presidents ‘Executive Orders’ which are reset with each administration, among others. With reference to the above Einstein quote, what are possible solutions? ^do we risk doing nothing and watch our government to degrade to a dictatorship or oligarchy? ^do we demand that the often delayed Constitutional Convention is started change to update the Constitution to meet current challenges (see Article 5)? ^take Supreme Court nominations outside of partisan politics? ^start new political party/ parties to break the political extremists control? ^eliminate gerrymandering, electoral college, and unequal voting requirements by having nonpartisan/ bipartisan panel to decide? ^OR??? TO DO NOTHING IS INSANITY

  • 1,224
    colin
    01/26/2022

    Interesting how the country is having money trouble but all of our well paid politicians can just go on vacation. Don't worry they will get together and pass an emergency bill just in time for the News.

  • 1,020
    JoeandPeggy
    01/25/2022

    Haven't they had enough recesses (vacations)? They do not seem to put any of our problems a priority over their time off!

  • 3,405
    Adel
    01/25/2022

    Hahahahahahahahahahaha,. Not surprised. Everyone should start the NEW YEAR with a big fat vacation! Oh wait if it was to include the "little people" we couldn't buy our groceries and stuff.

  • 356
    Edward
    01/25/2022

    Congress is not serving the people who elected them, but those who contributed to their champagne.

  • 45
    Susan
    01/25/2022

    Stay in congress and do your job. Average American workers cannot vote to take time off and still get PAID. Each state should vote on not paying members of congress who take more time off than the time average Americans get.

  • 351
    Gary
    01/25/2022

    We need to see some progress on President Biden’s agenda!

  • 206
    Nancy
    01/25/2022

    THUS IS RIDICULOUS!!! GIT RID OF THE FILIBUSTER, REMOVE THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO BACKED TRUMPS BULLSHIT, TELL SIMWHATEVER AND MANCHIN TO GET IN LINE----THEY ARE NOT THAT GOOD AND GET THIS COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK!!!!!!

  • 809
    DeWitt
    01/25/2022

    The longer they all stay out of session, the better off the country is!

  • 685
    Robert
    01/25/2022

    No more funding until a Budget is passed. That is your job.