the House is gone now for two weeks???

[Grasswire2]

Did we know this?

Ugh.

[StarfishSaver]

8. They're not on vacation

They're working in their districts, an important part of the jobs. District Work Periods allow them to meet with their constituents, hold town meetings, go to events, visit schools, local businesses, see things firsthand, and generally interact with people at home - things people often criticize them for not doing enough because they're "stuck inside the Beltway bubble."

FYI, I'm sure you didn't mean it that way but "jipped" is a slur. It refers to Gypsies who were smeared as dishonest and untrustworthy.

I'm not accusing you of using it intentionally. A lot of people don't realize it's a slur (I didn't know until it was pointed out to me). But I thought you'd want to know so you don't continue to use the term. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/12/30/242429836/why-being-gypped-hurts-the-roma-more-than-it-hurts-you

[StarfishSaver]

13. No

"Federal Congressional people" don't only work in Washington and limit their interaction with their constituents to telephones and Zoom calls. As I said, an important part of their job is actually being in the districts they represent. And when they're not, people criticize them for being out of touch and stuck in the Beltway.

And your accusation that I'm trying to get you flamed is ridiculous. I said in no uncertain terms I didn't think you intended to use a slur but thought that you would want to know that a term that you were using innocently ( and that I told you I have used in the past) is a racist slur so you could avoid saying it in the future. Apparently, I was wrong

[StarfishSaver]

17. Lol

[StarfishSaver]

20. Maybe you'll run into some Members of Congress at one of the marches

and you can tell them in person all the things you've been venting about on DU.

That would be awesome.

[StarfishSaver]

23. Ciao!

[Hortensis]

30. As you say, Starfish. Their jobs are for and about their districts,

and a lot of their work must be done in their districts with their people. And over half are DEMOCRATS.

Grasswire, Chin, here's a current calendar. Scroll arrows for other months.

https://www.house.gov/legislative-activity

[Klaralven]

38. The only times I've seen a Representative or Senator in person were at events to collect money

These are fund raising breaks.

[StarfishSaver]

39. That may be your experience with your Member where you live

But there are 535 Members and Senators at this moment and probably a couple thousand in your lifetime, so your experience with the few who have represented you is not necessarily indicative of how all of them do their jobs.

[Hekate]

61. That's a shame. Before I moved I used to see them at Labor Day BBQs & town halls & such...

Of course they were all Democrats, which helped a lot, as we had that in common. On Labor Day and July 4 they were all over the County trying to get to as many events as possible. You may scoff, but those were opportunities for me to get to say hello, shake hands, and say a few words — and they (my representatives at the federal, state, and local levels) remembered me, over time. I volunteered for things, which was another way they knew me.

But long, long ago our US Rep was a GOPer of long-standing in the district. Once I had a chance to take the kids to DC, and his office was very responsive when I called to ask about tickets to tours of federal buildings and so forth. Getting to know the people in the district is their actual job.

[boston bean]

2. That makes me so upset that they are not working!

Not like the agenda is urgent or something. I am hoping this is wrong.

[StarfishSaver]

6. They are working - it's just that their whole job isn't in DC

A lot of the work they do is done in the district and this District Work Period let's them go back to be with constituents.

A Member once told me they were damned if they did and damned when they didn't. "When I'm in Washington, my constituents complain they they never see me, I'm stuck in the Beltway, and I'm out of touch with my constituents. But when they see me at home, they say, 'What are YOU doing here? Why aren't you in Washington working?!"

[boston bean]

12. Working on getting the bills passed. That is what I meant n

What is more important to their constituents?

Last time they were trying to pass ACA and went on break we got never ending townhalls and the fucking tea party.

[StarfishSaver]

16. How do you think Members "get bills passed"?

They don't do it just by talking to each other in Washington. One of the most effective ways they do it is by spending time in their Districts talking to constituents.

Funny you mentioned the ACA. Members doing those town hall meetings in their districts were a key reason ACA was passed.

Thanks for helping to make my point with such a great example.

[StarfishSaver]

22. No, I don't "know it all"

But I do have a lot more knowledge about and experience with Congress than a lot of people here.

Some folks appreciate learning things they don't already know. Some don't. Some not only don't, they take it very personally and get really pissed off about it, and instead of actually considering the new information they've been given, respond with anger and resentment.

[boston bean]

24. Good. My experience means less than yours.

And you are 100% wrong that the town halls were helpful to the process. It was the birth of the tea party. And riled up the Republican base and we eventually lost the house.

I KNOW I went to them.. they were nuts then. But I guess I just don’t know what I lived.

Have a good one. I am not going to argue with you any further.

You win. I give in. I give up. I don’t have the energy for this.

Good evening.

[Hortensis]

34. Boston Bean, THEIR POWER COMES FROM US. The more they

can persuade people at home to support what needs to be done, the more that's reflected in polls and other information, the more power they have. They can't just ignore the peoplek and stay in Washington with each other.

It's true that the ACA was only passed after a mighty two-year battle because the people wanted it and said so. (Blowback by those unpersuaded cost 63 Democratic house members their seats in the next election.)

[boston bean]

35. Your post describes why it must be done and done quickly.

[Hortensis]

37. They have to go home to their people.

Their power comes from those who vote. Or at least credibly threaten the "other side" to.

[boston bean]

50. They go home to their people. They didn't need to do it right now.

[StarfishSaver]

53. They probably know better that you do what their people and districts need and when they need it

And anyone who DOESN'T think they need to go home right now are free to stay in Washington and continuing to work there.

[CrackityJones75]

44. Jerbuz.

What the hell just happened here?

Information is given and then a personal attack?

We need to be awful careful of adopting ideas like “our representatives are all lazy” in the same way that we are repeating the mantras that the media is evil and bad.

These are talking points that swing from side to side in order to get the entire populace behind ideas that ruin democracies and societies.

Fall is a very active time back home in districts and states where especially in outstate areas there are lots of events that are held with the changing of the season. I know that my reps attend these types of activities and events and are in fact talking with their constituents.

But even still if you disagree with someone attacking them personally isn’t the way to do it.

I can understand wanting our politicians to get done what needs to get done, but damn that post was way overvoard.

[Tom Rinaldo]

29. I won't assume they are not working on getting the bills passed because they aren't in DC

I'm not trying to be cute about this, but people don't necessarily have to be physically inside of the capital to work on legislation. For one thing, we live in an era when working remotely is increasingly the norm, and highly supported by technology. The Build Back Better Act is well past the stage where it is being drafted from the ground up. Now it "just" has to be tweaked to get it across the finish line. I'm not saying those "tweaks" won't be consequential, but the building blocks are already formed, now it is a matter of which ones might be cut back and the order in which they get prioritized.

Most Democratic members of Congress are in agreement, now we are down to horse trading with the holdouts. My sense is that there are designated point people for every so called faction who have the trust of those who share a common perspective. They do need to stay highly involved on a daily basis, but even there much of the grunt work gets done by their closest congressional aids in their DC offices who are not going home to far flung districts. Congress doesn't have to be in session for those negotiations to continue. Also, there is nothing stopping any Congressional rep from hopping back to the capital for one or more days of back room in person negotiations while Congress remains in recess.

Honestly it is the job of folks like us to make sure that what Congress Critters hear when they are back in their district is enthusiastic support for as much of the President's Build Back Better agenda as possible. Congressional leadership can call Congress back into session with 72 hours notice to move this legislation forward when it is ready.

[StarfishSaver]

40. Thank you for this excellent response

[Deminpenn]

32. Rest assured, staff is working on drafting the legislative

language of the bill that will ultimately pass. No reconcilliation could even be passed until 1 Oct. There's time, be patient as Biden advised.

[BlueTsunami2018]

3. I really need a job like that.

Where you don’t do anything, get paid decently and get a ton of vacation.

It’s almost like it’s a scam.

[Skittles]

10. tell me about it

it is fucking insane....I get so tired of hearing how government jobs supposedly pay less - not from what I have seen, not at all

[Deminpenn]

33. They do pay less

The tradeoff is better job security and guaranteed pension although that has been slowly chipped away starting with the Reagan administration in 1984.

Feds do have a wide selection of health insurance via FEHB, but pay about 25% of the premium. That cost is considered pre-tax income for federal civil servants who are still working, but not for retired feds.

[Skittles]

55. like I said, in real life that is not what I have seen

maybe some jobs but certainly not all

[Deminpenn]

59. For the responsibility civil servants have, they would get

far higher pay for the same job in the private sector. Was only a year out of college when given the responsibility for parts support for what was then a front line program. There were other experienced managers to ask questions of, but the day-to-day work was all on me. It's that way all over the federal civil service.

[Skittles]

63. again, I have the opposite experience working with fed folk

over and OUT

[Deminpenn]

64. My experiences with private sector employees

were much the same.

[CrackityJones75]

45. This is a RW talking point.

[PoliticAverse]

4. They may return after 72 hours notice...

From: https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/floor-schedule-update-1011

FLOOR SCHEDULE UPDATE – VOTES IN OCTOBER
Floor Update: Oct 1, 2021 - 8:16 pm
LEADER'S FLOOR UPDATE

Members are advised that no further votes are expected this week.

The House will meet for Committee Work during the weeks of October 4th and October 11th.

Members are further advised that should there be significant legislation requiring House action prior to the legislative week of October 18th, Members will be given 72-hours' notice of when to return to Washington, D.C.

[StarfishSaver]

5. This is a District Work Period

No votes are scheduled so that Members can go back to their Districts. But committees are still working and holding at least a dozen hearings next week (including one on the Arizona "audit".)

If anything comes up that needs to be voted on, the Speaker can quickly call them back into session. But having this time to be in their districts is a critical part of the job.

[Etherealoc1]

7. SMH unbelievable

[marble falls]

11. What? You don't get months off a year to fundraise, campaign, meet the constituents, take ...

... dark money and junkets?

[bottomofthehill]

25. This may seem odd to many but most members of Congress are happier in Washington

When they are here they are treated like Royalty. Their staff waits on them hand and foot, the lobbyists keep them flush with cash, the rules don’t apply to them, they live high on the hog (nice meals, free booze), no one says no to them and quite frankly very little is expected of them. They are adored by junior staff, they have the ability to cheat on their spouses as the power is intoxicating and the kids are stupid. They love it here

When they go home, they have to play the man/woman of the people roll, act like they give two shits about their spouses and children for more than a campaign prop, meet with constituents who don’t always agree with them, listen to them, actually appear like they give a shit, they can’t appear rude to them least they get called out for the fakers they are, try to get Gramma or Grampy into a nursing home, lazy kids into college, streets, roads and bridges repaired and they actually have to be nice and respectful of the people in their community. They hate it at home.

Trust me when I tell you the great majority of them would rather be here than home.

[StarfishSaver]

26. This is a rather broad generalization

Let's take one Member at random: Sharice Davids. What evidence do you have that this applies to her? Do you have proof that in Washington, she's adored by junior staff, is wined and dined by lobbyists, is cheating on her partner, etc.? Or that when in Kansas, she only pretends to be interested in her constituents, she's faking being a woman of the people, and generally hates it at home?

What about Lauren Underwood? Or Hakeem Jeffries? or Katie Porter? Or David Cicciline? Do you have specific information that this applies to them - or to any substantial numbers of other Members, much less "most"?

Broad brush "Congress critters ain't shit" portrayals are easy swipes, but unless you have proof to back them up, they're neither accurate or helpful. In fact, they can be dangerous.

[Hortensis]

36. Wow. You left out that in DC Democrats get to work with colleagues

who're looking forward to imprisoning them in a putsch and would be happy if they were killed in the takeover. Much more stimulating than boring old home.

It's true there is much less security at their home offices than in the Capitol, and to their families and their homes, when they're in their districts. But where'd the fun be in being blown up with their families, cameras only arriving after they're gone? The action not to be missed would be in DC.

As for the rest of your picture, how can anyone believe all our Democrats are like that? Anyone like that would have to be stupid as two bags of rocks not to move to a Republican district so they could put in two or three terms selling their votes and then leave to heap the rewards.

[StarfishSaver]

42. Speaking of security in the District

Gabby Giffords was shot and nearly killed at a Saturday morning meet and greet with constituents - an event she did every week when in her District.

Several Members have had to increase their security while in the District because they are much vulnerable there. Anyone wondering why that is can just look around for part of the answer ...

[Hortensis]

51. Yes. I've heard that some are now assigned armed security details

who never required them before. Armed guards will be a new look for them at home.

[StarfishSaver]

52. I suspect

that much of the threats and violence are underpinned by some of the anti-government attitudes evidenced in this thread.

[Hortensis]

54. ! How one can be a Democrat and hostile to government,

including those representatives we elect, is not at all clear.

Now, farther left and from populist movements in general, hostility to "the establishment" (i.e., Democratic Party, existing government, establishment-supporting citizens) is baked in. But this is DU.

[StarfishSaver]

56. IKR?

It's bizarre seeing some of the comments on this and some other topics.

[Hekate]

27. Check to see if your Representative is having town hall meetings or the like. They go home...

…in part to stay in touch with their constituents, which is especially important since they have to campaign every two years.

[brooklynite]

28. Yes, we did

The House Cakendar is a matter of public record.

If you’re outraged, you can always contact the Speaker’s office and tell her how she should be doing her job.

[Hortensis]

31. Your own representatives are home. Why not grab a chance

to see if they're holding any (socially distanced) public events this week? Call and ask the office staff what it is he or she is doing this week. If Republican, there'll likely be a demonstration to join outside his or her office.

[Hekate]

48. This

[StarfishSaver]

58. Nah

So much easier and satisfying to just complain

[Hotler]

41. And took the DOJ with them... That shit is hard work and we

don't understand.

[StarfishSaver]

43. And you wonder why anyone would think you don't understand

[CrackityJones75]

46. I have a serious issue with the general thought going on here

There is dangerous ideas being spread here that our politicians are lazy, greedy, grifters, making gobs of money while vacationing most of the time. It reeks of the same talking points I have read from the right for decades. While there are likely some people that ARE guilty of those charges, the idea that we are here on this site leveling these types of ideas against our government as a whole is god damned scary.

[StarfishSaver]

47. +1000

Thank you.

[Hekate]

49. This

[StarfishSaver]

57. I notice there's nothing but crickets

Last edited Sat Oct 2, 2021, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)

In response to my question about whether certain Members are among those targeted in the broad brush attack on "most" Members.

At best, this kind of attack is just lazy pontificating intended to appear as clear-minded cynicism. But we know it can also be something else.

[Hekate]

62. RW talking points and both-siderism

[StarfishSaver]

65. Yup

[Deminpenn]

60. Well said

nt