UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / From the desk of Tom Cole
Last Friday marked the beginning of August – a month in Congress that we refer to as the Annual District Work Period. This means that the House of Representatives will not be in session and members of Congress can spend ample time in their communities and converse with their constituents and local leaders.
This historic tradition dates back many years. However, it did not become official until 1970 when Wyoming Senator Gale W. McGee led the passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 through the Senate Rules Committee, which he served as chairman on. This legislation formally established the August recess, ensuring Representatives and Senators were able to get back to their local communities and connect with their constituents for an extended period.
