From the published schedule of the 2011 US Congress, found at The Capitol.Net:
| Senate 2011 published schedule
|
2011 Holidays
& |
House
schedule |
||
|
January 1 |
||||
| January 5
January 12-15 |
Senate Convenes Senate Democratic Retreat |
January 5
|
January
5 January 13-15 |
House Convenes
House Republican Retreat |
|
January 17 – 23 |
Senate Recess | January
17 January 25 (tentative) |
||
|
February 7
February 12 Lincoln’s Birthday |
January 31 –
February 6 |
House Recess | ||
| February
21 – 27 |
President’s Day Senate Recess |
February
21 Presidents’ Day |
February 21 – 27 | House Recess |
| March 21 – 27 | Senate
Recess |
March 13 Daylight Savings Time begins
(spring forward) |
March 21 – 27 | House Recess |
| April 18- May 1 | Senate
Recess |
April 18
Passover begins at sundown April 22 Good Friday April 24 Easter |
April 18- May 1
May 16 – 22 |
House Recess
House Recess |
| May 30 –
June 5 |
Senate Recess |
May 30 Memorial
Day |
June 6 – 12 | House Recess |
| June
14 Flag Day |
||||
|
July 4 – 10 |
Senate Recess |
July 4 Independence Day |
June 27 – July
5 July 18 – 24 |
House Recess
House Recess |
| August 8 – September 5
September 26 – October 2 |
Senate Recess
Senate Recess |
September 5
Labor Day September 28 Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown
October 1 FY 2012 begins |
August 8
– September 5
September 26 – October 2 |
House Recess
House Recess |
| October 7 – 10
October 24 – 30 |
Senate Recess
Senate Recess |
October 7 Yom Kippur October 10 Columbus November 6
Daylight Savings Time ends (fall back) November 8 Election Day
November 11 Veteran’s Day observed November 24 Thanksgiving Day |
October 17- 23
November 7- 13
November 21- 27 |
House
Recess
House Recess
House Recess |
| TBD | Target Senate Adjournment | December 20 Hanukkah
begins at sundown December 25 Christmas Day |
December 8 | Target House Adjournment |
As I understand it, even during the weeks that they are officially working, Senators and Representatives typically arrive on a Monday, work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, then blow town on Friday.
Good to know that conditions in the USA are so optimal these days that our employees in the House and Senate can take so much time off. And get compensated handsomely in the process: $174,000 in salary, plus retirement and health benefits.
Me, I remember enjoying school recesses as a kid, but nobody told me I could practically make a career out of them.
If you’re not already feeling pissed off enough today, compare their compensation and actual work hours with yours.
And remember to have a nice day.
