Lakhota
Diamond Member
By Michael McAuliff
WASHINGTON -- Complaining that Congress is going on its election break at the earliest point in decades, Democrats in the House Friday challenged their colleagues across the aisle to stay in session and deal with numerous pieces of unfinished business.
"We are prepared to stay," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), arguing that Republicans should remain in town to deal with the stalled Farm Bill, the looming fiscal cliff, the Violence Against Women Act and other pieces of legislation that remain unresolved.
Pelosi noted that it was only earlier this month that Congress returned from a long summer break.
"We will have been in session only eight days. That's just not right," she said in comments on the steps outside the Capitol on the House side.
She was joined by dozens of other members of her caucus, who lambasted Republicans as epically unproductive.
"People back home cannot understand the work ethic of this Congress. They don't understand why we're not staying here to get the job done," said Rep. John Larsen (D-Conn.).
"What we are seeing this week is a convulsing end to a dismal Congress," said Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
More: Nancy Pelosi Demands Congress Stay And Finish Work, GOP Passes Buck To Senate