Columbus Day Recess Increasingly Unlikely
A Columbus Day recess is appearing increasingly less likely for both the House and Senate as lawmakers try to pass a health care overhaul and tackle a number of other outstanding items.Both chambers typically break for a week in early October, beginning with the Columbus Day holiday. This year, Columbus Day is observed on Oct. 12.A Senate Democratic leadership aide said no final decisions have been made on the schedule. But given the amount of work still facing the chamber, the aide warned that Senators may be asked to stick around. “Every day it’s becoming more and more likely,— the aide said, adding that regardless of whether Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) decides to cancel the recess, the Senate would not be in session on Columbus Day itself. Earlier this week, Reid threatened to keep the Senate working throughout October.The House, like the Senate, did not have the weeklong break officially on the books. One House leadership aide said: “The House will be here.—