Congressional Recess – A Time to Make Yourself Heard

Do you remember recess, that great time in elementary school when you got released from that stuffy classroom and could run and play outside with your friends? Well, the congressional recess is probably a lot like that, for many of our lawmakers. Those who represent us spend a great deal of their time traveling back and forth from their home state and Washington, D.C., and the time they spend in D.C. is crowded with meetings in stuffy rooms, often with stuffy people. The August recess gives our lawmakers the chance to spend over a month at their homes. But it isn’t all recess. Recess is a chance to recharge, think about the fall work to be done, and, most importantly, meet with the people they represent. It is the best time for you to get to know those who represent you.

First, let’s talk about the fall work they will be thinking about when they return. While there is a lot of legislative work to be done, let there be no mistake, the main focus of every lawmaker will be the November elections. Aside from two thirds of Senators, everyone is up for reelection, and those Senators who are not on this cycle will be helping their parties’ candidates and presidential nominees get elected. This focus will probably get in the way of any real work getting done except for the appropriations bills that must be passed before the funding runs out on October 1st, and even that deadline has an escape clause. Let me explain.

In order for the government to keep working, there are 12 appropriation bills for fiscal year 2025 that must be agreed upon and passed before October 1st., When he was campaigning for the Speaker job to replace Speaker McCarthy, Speaker Johnson wrote in a letter that as Speaker, he would not let the House leave for the August recess until the 12 appropriation bills were passed. The House did pass four of the bills. When they couldn’t agree on the other eight bills, leadership released the House for the August recess, breaking Speaker Johnson’s promise. While this puts the pressure on the House to pass these bills when they return from recess, there is an out. They can pass this handy, kick-the-can-down-the-road, bill called a continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the government funded past the deadline at the present funding levels. What a copout. The number one job of the House is to keep our government operations open and serving us by judiciously spending our hard-earned tax money. Yet, they continue to use CRs year after year. I can’t tell you how mad this makes me. This is a product of the polarized political environment we live in. The question is, how will this affect healthcare legislation this fall?

As I’ve said before, lawmakers aren’t too keen on passing legislation during election years, especially this one. There are, however, some healthcare bills that might spark interest and could find a place as a rider on the must-pass appropriations or CR bills. This is especially true if some incumbent lawmakers could see this as giving them something to brag about as they approach election day. I’ll keep my eye on any proposed healthcare bills.

There is one more thing to consider. President Biden is a lame duck President and is freer to issue executive orders or pressure agencies to issue rules that support the President’s agenda and legacy. Historically these tactics, which avoid congressional oversight, have been used to further restrict choices and offer one-size-fits-all solutions which have never been good for older adults.

This fall will be an interesting, if not historical, time for our country. I will work to keep you up to date on what is going on in Washington and how it will affect you. All of the things that have happened recently may lead you to believe that you have no control over what the politicians do. You do have the most powerful means to control what happens to you, the voter. Men and women have died to preserve this right, your vote is powerful. Communicating with your lawmakers is another way you can have input.

Your representative in the House and your two Senators will spend some portion of their recess in town halls and summer celebrations. It is an opportunity to hear where they stand on important issues that affect you. I’ve heard of a technique (my grandkids call it a hack) to have a real impact at a town hall meeting. Get ten or more of your likeminded friends together and attend a town hall meeting. These meetings are sometimes not well attended, and you can have a huge impact on the questions asked and on responses to answers. Your lawmaker will remember that encounter. Remember, this is also an opportunity to thank them when they have taken a stance that seems right to you. Don’t pass up the chance to see your lawmaker in person.

We’ve got you covered if you are looking for a way to contact your lawmakers. Click on this link to go our Seniors Speak Out web page that gets you to a place where you can find out who the lawmakers are in your state that represent you. You can find ways to communicate with them, sign up for their newsletters and find when they will be at events or when they are holding their next town hall. These are important times. Now, more than ever, it is time to speak out.

Best,

Thair