Last week, the House voted itself a “staycation” by voting against adjournment, which meant there would be five weeks worth of pro-forma sessions — where Congress “technically” stays in session by gaveling in and gaveling out but is essentially on vacation.
On Monday, the House did away with this charade by approving a resolution that called for adjournment of the House until September. The Hill reports the move was made by unanimous consent and “took place despite last week’s overwhelming vote against adjournment, in which every Democrat and 78 Republicans” voted to stay in session during August.
Under the Constitution, Congress cannot technically be in recess unless both chambers approve of resolutions.
Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution reads: “Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days …”
The vote shows that last week’s vote was for show. And even though Representatives voted against adjournment to make it seem like they were working and not going on vacation during an election year, voting so quickly for adjournment reinforces everything Americans dislike about the games played in Congress.
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