While millions of students have already returned to school, Congress is just now starting its fall session. The House and Senate will reconvene on September 9th, marking the first time they’ve met for legislative action in over a month. The return to Capitol Hill resembles a back-to-school scenario, with reporters, staffers, and even some congressional aides returning to their “rooms” and settling back into the routine. However, the analogy quickly falls apart. This isn’t the beginning of a new Congress, so there are no new teachers, new lockers, or new students from other schools. The promise of a fresh start is absent, and the political landscape feels largely unchanged.
The true start of the congressional “school year” arrives on January 3, 2025, when the 119th Congress is sworn in. This is when new lawmakers take their seats, committees gain new chairs, and a sense of optimism often fills the Capitol. Until then, the atmosphere feels more akin to the final weeks of the school year, with everyone eager for the break.
The legislative traffic this year has been light, with the assassination attempt on former President Trump and the Democrats’ internal struggles concerning President Biden’s role dominating the summer’s news cycle. The last major bills Congress tackled were in April, including funding the government and providing aid to Israel and Ukraine.
Now, with the election approaching, the focus has shifted entirely towards campaigning. Both the House and Senate are closely divided, and the presidential race is similarly tight. Lawmakers, especially those retiring or facing primary losses, are eager to leave Washington early and focus on their districts.
This fall session feels more like the end of the school year, with the desire for recess overriding any legislative ambitions. The House is scheduled to meet for a few days next week, and then again in September, with a break planned for November. Even the final week of September might be canceled if Congress manages to fund the government and avoid a shutdown on October 1st.
The analogy of Congress as a school, with the fall session resembling a late-term push before summer break, is accurate in its depiction of the political atmosphere. While some might be focusing on their work, the looming election, the desire for recess, and the general exhaustion are palpable. The voters will be the ultimate judges in this political “school year,” delivering their verdict on election day.
