Why make senators come to work in Washington on Friday or Monday with the government set to shut down in 11 days?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Thursday that the Senate would recess until Monday and hold no votes that would make senators’ attendance mandatory until Tuesday. Even then, they’re expected to vote on a judicial nominee and then return to a stalled energy efficiency bill.

It seems the Senate really is just waiting for the House to move on its version of a stopgap spending bill. The House is expected to vote Friday on its continuing resolution — which funds the government but not Obamacare. Then the House will break until Wednesday.

But the shutdown countdown will continue over Congress’ long weekend.