Skip to content

Reid Pushes for Early Recess

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told his Democratic colleagues Wednesday that the chamber will work to wrap up its business by Aug. 3, one week earlier than previously planned.

Reid, speaking at the Senators’ weekly steering committee meeting, said his goal is to complete business by Friday, Aug. 1, but left open the possibility that Senators would need to stay in Washington on Saturday and Sunday to clear the agenda. Reid has set numerous priorities for the rest of the summer, with the highest among them being energy legislation to address mounting gas prices.

“As of right now, we do not expect to be in session the first full week in August,” confirmed Jim Manley, Reid’s spokesman. “However, we may need to be in the weekend of Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 in order to complete any and all of our business.”

The House is similarly scheduled to leave before Aug. 2.

Reid’s decision means Senators would have three weeks in their districts before the Democratic National Convention in Denver, which begins on Aug. 25. Republicans, meanwhile, would get an extra week at home since their nominating event doesn’t begin until Sept. 4.

Recent Stories

US officials mark one year since ‘devastating’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel

Two abortion rulings could weigh into elections in Georgia, Texas

Former Rep. David Hobson, longtime appropriator, is dead at 87

Congressional estimators find sharply lower revenue take from Harris tax plans

Supreme Court to hear arguments over ‘ghost gun’ regulation

Biden makes formal plea to Congress for disaster loan funds