Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
This country is facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and is engaged in two wars overseas. Structural economic problems that have not been addressed for decades have come due and need to be fixed. This is a time for bold action.
But Congress is worried about taking its August recess, a month-long vacation until after Labor Day.
Recess is for kids, Congress doesn't need a vacation.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agrees. Pelosi: Congress should work through recess:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday said she's open to keeping the House in session through the August recess to pass its healthcare overhaul.
"I think 70 percent of the American people would want that," Pelosi said. "I want a bill."
Pelosi's comments came at a news conference held hours before President Obama’s Wednesday primetime news conference to promote the healthcare plan.
NB: Rep. Gabriel Giffords stated at a Democratic event in Sonoita last Saturday that Congress can forgo its August recess to deal with the healthcare reform legislation, and maybe get its work done earlier than the end of the year. I could not agree with her more.
UPDATE: FireDogLake has a petition urging the House to stay in til health care reform passes. Jane Hamsher reports the petitions will be delivered by Mike Stark to the House (on video) next week.