how many days a year to senators work?

Question

represenatives, washington

Answer 1

All the more reason the end Representative government in USA and be the true leaders of the world we should be!

Answer 2

The congressional calendar is a detailed description of the days for which the U.S. Congress will be in session. The leadership of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release the projected calendar at the beginning of each congressional session, often differing slightly. The calendar designates holidays, in addition to district work periods, which designate time for members of Congress to return home and interact with their constituents. Generally, a targeted adjournment date is set, although this is often adjusted as unforseen circumstances and responsibilities arise.
The number of days which the House and Senate hold session varies greatly by year. The graph and charts below detail the day total for each chamber since 1993, in addition to the House Speaker and Senate majority leader who presided over the respective bodies. (Note: the 2006 figures are based on the days Congress had met through August 16, in addition to those days planned for the remainder of the session)

House
Year Days in session House Speaker
1993 143 Tom Foley (D-Wash.)

1994 124 Tom Foley (D-Wash.)

1995 183 Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)

1996 128 Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)

1997 134 Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)

1998 119 Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)

1999 139 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2000 139 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2001 146 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2002 126 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2003 138 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2004 110 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2005 141 Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

2006 90-94 (scheduled) Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

Source(s): The Library of Congress, USA Today

Senate
Year Days in session Senate majority leader
1993 153 George Mitchell (D-Maine)
1994 138 George Mitchell (D-Maine)
1995 211 Bob Dole (R-Kan.)
1996 132 Bob Dole (R-Kan.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
1997 153 Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
1998 143 Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
1999 162 Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
2000 141 Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
2001 173 Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Tom Daschle (D-S.D.)
2002 149 Tom Daschle (D-S.D.)
2003 167 Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
2004 133 Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
2005 159 Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
2006 125 (scheduled) Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)

Source(s): The Library of Congress, OMB Watch, U.S. Senate

Daily Digest
Note: In 1996, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) replaced Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) on May 16, 1996. In 2001, Lott served as majority leader from January 20 through June 5, 2001. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) replaced him on this date for the remainder of the congressional session.

Criticism of the 109th Congress
The 2nd session of the 109th Congress received sharp criticism in 2006 for the comparatively low number of days with which it conducted (or scheduled to conduct) legislative business. As of August 16, the House had met only 79 days, and scheduled only 12-16 additional days before the close of the session. The Senate planned to meet only 125 days during the 2006 session. Each figure, if the schedule goes to plan, will be the lowest in the respective branches in well over a decade

Answer 3

The same as any other politician - As Few As Possible. For what they're getting paid, they ought to be in the Rotunda 11 days a week... but setting an example of good work ethic to schoolchildren is about as common as a pink elephant.

Answer 4

I don't know where this is tallied for over the years but I do know that for the year of 2006 they worked exactly 65 days. Thisi is a shame for what it costs us to send representatives to Wash DC to represent us. They spend most of their time in their home state or traveling about at Government expense.............

Answer 5

Not nearly enough. They have a lot of research and meeting with contingencies to help them understand bills being presented. But, they also spend a lot of time being wined and dined by lobbiests.
And, if you've ever watched the Senate hearings on TV, you see them, reading the paper - talking on the phone - playing on their laptops - and, sleeping.-----------Our tax dollars at work.

Answer 6

Not enough and they earn way too much. They should get a decrease in pay and increase in work. And, don't forget to cut their ridiculous benefits!

Answer 7

i gree