General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Please grade Barack Obama's performance as president [View all]karynnj
(59,507 posts)Franken was sworn in on July 7th, the Senate recess started on August 7 - and Kenendy died on August 25th. The Senate returned on September 7th.
However, they needed to change the process in MA to let the governor name an interim Senator because the law was that it would be filled by special election. It took time to pass that change and it was September 24th before Kirk was named and he became Senator the next day.
The Senate then was in session until Christmas Eve, when they passed ACA -- and was then out of session until mid January - when Brown won the election.
So, in total - 1 month (July) plus 3 months (September - December) --- which equals 4 months.
During that time, not just the ACA bill was passed. There were a few bills that addressed jobs and stimulated the economy.
It is not clear that all 60 Senators would have voted for a federal minimum wage increase (not to mention had they done so - you would say it should have been higher.) or equal pay.