{
  "id": 11503116,
  "title": "Senate crushes House on congressional work days",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/senate-crushes-house-on-congressional-work-days",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T18:33:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Axios",
    "slug": "axios",
    "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/10/02/congress-work-days-dc-senate-house"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Senate is currently spending 32 more weekdays in session compared to the House, according to a report by Ballotpedia and Axios. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson have faced criticism from their respective members for frequent absences and long absences. The Senate left town two weeks after the House, and both chambers are set to return after the November midterms. The Senate has been in session for 104 weekdays so far this year, while the House has only been in session for 72. In terms of hours, the Senate has spent nearly 664 hours in session, while the House has spent about 378 hours as of September 14. The House is not catching up anytime soon, with the Senate on pace to finish the year with around 126 weekdays in session, compared to 92 for the House. Some of the House's time off was unplanned, with Speaker Mike Johnson sending members home early when his narrow majority faced issues on the floor. The founders did not envision such extensive time off, yet members still get paid. Speaker Johnson argues that the House has been the second most productive in terms of legislation since 1789, passing over 900 pieces of legislation so far. The Senate, on the other hand, has held more yeas or nays votes and has more legislation per senator.",
  "summary": "Source: Ballotpedia, Congressional Record; Chart: Stef Kight/Axios The Senate is well on its way to claiming the congressional attendance trophy this year, spending 32 more weekdays in session so far than the House. Why it matters: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have been torched by members for all the time off — not to mention Democrats, who…",
  "key_points": [
    "Senate has 32 more weekdays in session than House",
    "Senate in session 104 weekdays, House 72 so far",
    "Senate on pace for 126 weekdays, House 92 this year"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}