The United States Senate has spent 32 more weekdays in session than the House of Representatives this year, a disparity that has drawn criticism from members of both chambers. According to an analysis of congressional calendars by Ballotpedia and Axios, the Senate has been in session for 104 weekdays so far this year, compared with 72 for the House.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have faced scrutiny regarding the amount of time off taken by their respective chambers. Democrats have also taunted Republican leadership for what they describe as truancy. The Senate departed Washington late Wednesday, two weeks after the House, leaving both chambers out of town until after the Nov. 3 midterms.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) commented on the attendance gap in a statement to Axios, joking that he left the House two years too soon given the current difference in working days between the two bodies. Data from the Congressional Record indicates that as of Sept. 14, the Senate had spent nearly 664 hours in session, while the House had logged about 378 hours.
Under current calendars, the Senate is on pace to finish the year with approximately 126 weekdays in session, while the House is projected to reach 92 weekdays. Some of the House's time off was unplanned, as Speaker Johnson has sent members home early when his razor-thin majority faced difficulties on the floor or when Republican rebels blocked procedural rules.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) expressed dissatisfaction with these cancellations, writing on X that canceling votes was unacceptable and that the founders did not envision such extended time off while members continued to receive pay. In response to criticism, Johnson has argued that his chamber has fulfilled its legislative duties. He told reporters this month that the House has been the second most productive in terms of legislation since 1789, citing the passage of more than 900 pieces of legislation, roughly 700 of which are awaiting Senate action.
The Washington Post noted that Johnson's figure includes resolutions that cannot become law. The outlet found that the House had passed 732 bills capable of becoming law through Aug. 31. While the House passed more measures than the Senate, with 380 to 269, the Senate held more recorded votes between Jan. 3 and the end of August, totaling 231 compared to 216 for the House.
House members introduced more legislation overall, but the Senate was more productive per capita, with senators producing 22 pieces of legislation each compared to nine per House member. The House has passed 21 bills sent by the Senate, while the Senate has passed 20 bills sent by the House. The Senate also spends significant floor time confirming nominees, a duty outside the House's portfolio.