'do nothing' congress

usa today analyzes the not particularly rigorous congressional schedule(found via slate's today's papers). here are some of the low lights:

Members of Congress are taking an entire week off for St. Patrick's Day. It's the latest scheduling innovation to give members more time to meet with constituents.
Through Friday, the House was in session for 19 days, compared with 33 for the Senate. If they stick to their current schedule — including two weeks off in April, a week in May and July, plus all of August — House members will spend 97 days in Washington this year.
The House was in session 108 days in 1948 [prompting president truman to dub them the 'do-nothing' congress], according to the chamber's archives, compared with 141 days last year.
[snip]
During the first two months of the year, House members logged a total of 47 hours in the Capitol. They took off almost the entire month of January , while the Senate confirmed Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
For both chambers, workweeks have become short in recent years. Roll call votes are seldom scheduled for Mondays or Fridays. In the House, they are often postponed until late Tuesday.
As a result, it's difficult to schedule committee meetings. Some panels meet when Congress is not in session, but not often. [emphasis and disgust added]

one lame excuse--i mean explanation--time to meet with constituents defies logic since gerrymandering has greatly increased the safe seats for these guys, with less than 10% competitive races.

most disturbingly: "Lawmakers will make $165,200 this year. Leaders earn more."
that would work out to $1700+ a day all while government spending is outta control

¶ - nitish @ 8:57 AM