Why is my intern working more than Congress?

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August in Washington is unbearable enough to make you question the otherwise infinite wisdom of our founding fathers, who chose to place the nation’s capitol atop a swamp. The sun beats down without mercy, the humidity is downright suffocating, and you can literally see people running for refuge in air-conditioned offices. It’s no wonder that the entire city takes its vacation time. What’s less understandable though is that Congress does, too–for the entire month.

The August recess is a D.C. tradition. The Senate website helpfully explains that the current pratice, which amounts to taking the whole month off during odd-numbered, non-election years, and most of the whole month off during even-numbered election years, originated with the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. Both chambers follow it. The House site, meanwhile, helpfully calls this period the “Summer District Work Period.”

To be sure, some Congressmembers do head home, where I’m sure many do invaluable work. Of course, I’m also sure that many simply book fund-raising galas, and that others do in fact take the whole month to do nothing. But in a year like this year, this kind of vacation just can’t be allowed to happen. For one thing, it’s unfair. The country is experiencing a deep recession, unlike anything we’ve seen for generations. Our leadership shouldn’t be allowed a period of extended leisure time while the rest of America is putting in extra hours at work and taking more jobs just to pay the bills. It’s not just a matter of appearances. Think of the enormous items on the table right now–from health care to cap and trade to the very real prospect of another stimulus–and then tell yourself it’s a good idea for the legislature to take a month off.

Harry Reid has, to his credit, threatened to cancel recess if health care isn’t done by then (although one doubts he’d follow through with it). But that’s not enough. The summer recess should be canceled regardless of what happens. If health care passes, they can move on to other, direly needed legislation; sure, they’d raise less money, but that would be a healthy thing. And a Congress that canceled its month-long vacation to get work done would probably be much better regarded than the current incarnation, thereby improving some incumbents’ reelection chances. Self-interest and national interest converge!

I understand the need to leave Washington in August. I’ll be on vacation for a week. Before he heads back to school, my intern is planning a week-long vacation, too. A week should do Congress just fine.