The Senate may be voting until Christmas on the $848 billion health care reform bill, but Members won’t have to return until Jan. 19 to begin work in the new year.

The Senate will meet Jan. 5 for a pro forma session following the winter recess and officially convene on Jan. 19, according to a copy of the 2010 calendar.

The chamber will then be in session for a four-week work period until Feb. 12, followed by a four-day recess to observe the Presidents Day holiday. The 2010 schedule includes a two-week spring recess falling over Easter and Passover, and breaks for Memorial Day, July Fourth, Columbus Day and Veterans Day weekends. A summer break is scheduled from Aug. 9 to Sept. 10.

The House is scheduled to return one week earlier than the Senate, with votes expected on Jan. 12, according to the schedule released by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).