The “Summer District Work Period” or “August Recess”
is traditionally the time for Members of Congress to escape
the summer heat of the nation’s capital, returning home to meet with their
constituents. It is grounded in law: the House and Senate
“shall adjourn sine die not later than July 31 of each year”
under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 and previous legislation. The
Constitution specifically states that “[n]either House, during the
Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more
than three days”, thus requiring the mutual consent
of both chambers through a Concurrent Resolution to that effect.