The dog days of summer

Given the 90-degree heat, it’s hard for anyone to stay in a good mood these days. With many late nights behind them and the chance for more to come before Congress can adjourn, lawmakers are feeling the heat.

“People are more eager to get out of here than [Attorney General Alberto] Gonzales at a Code Pink rally. But it is so hot outside that you sweat just thinking about leaving,” a GOP House aide remarked.

Asked to guess when the House would adjourn for the summer, House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) responded warily, “Saturday afternoon or Sunday at 2 p.m.”

A Democratic aide confirmed that all this uncertainty is making aides restless.

“Everybody’s itching for their boss to leave town so we can rest, relax and drink drink drink,” the aide wrote in an email. “This past summer on the Hill has been demanding. It’s time to get wasted.”

He added, “Dude, I am soooooo tired. I’m really looking forward to recess. Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. That’s my big plan for recess.”

This week has brought heated exchanges on the floor, near-adjournments mid-day and grouchy moods all around. Here we give you our version of the dog days of summer on Capitol Hill and the strange things people do.