In this issue of BVA Happenings, BVA Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin explains the often-criticized Congressional August recess.

John Nance Garner, one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Vice Presidents, said: “No good legislation ever comes out of Washington after June.” 

Virtually every year in August, members of Congress leave Capitol Hill and, for all intents and purposes, pause official actions (i.e., hearings, votes, and markups). This does not mean, however, that these legislators stop working and take weeks of vacation.

The purpose of the August recess is for solid campaigning, the conducting of personal affairs, official trips to foreign nations, and touching base with constituents. For example, my former member of Congress would use the August recess to bring key staff to meet with citizens of the district to better assist with and prioritize their legislative wishes. The time allows Representatives and Senators to communicate more effectively with constituents on their home turf.

The August recess also allows staff who live in the Washington, DC, area to catch up on work, network with other offices, and work on sensitive matters with fewer people around. It is, further, a good time for staff-to-staff negotiations on bills of importance. Still another benefit is physical improvement in the buildings, which can only occur when there are lighter crowds. While maintenance in and around the Capitol is always ongoing, the additional quiet time allows for greater efficiency and minimal delays and intrusion later.

In summary, the August recess serves a key function in ensuring that members of Congress have the time to communicate with their constituents and maintain connections with those they represent while simultaneously allowing staff to catch their breath before moving onto the weighty and inevitable responsibilities of early autumn.