Voting in 2008

To the delight of many lawmakers and aides, the 2008 congressional schedule will not be quite as busy as this year’s.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate on Monday announced when they will be in Washington next year. There will be fewer five-day workweeks for members on Capitol Hill, but Democrats stressed that they will be busy.

Responding to anticipated attacks from Republicans, House Democrats noted that their schedule in 2008 will be busier than when the GOP led Congress in 2006.

House Democrats have held a record number of roll-call votes this year. Part of the rationale for so many votes was policy-based; Democrats wanted to show they could govern after being in the minority from 1995 to 2006. Another factor in calling for an arduous schedule this year was to push wavering Republicans into retirement.

Spending so much time in Washington can put a significant strain on members’ relationships with their families. And more than a few of the GOP members who have decided not to seek reelection have mentioned they want to spend more time with their relatives back home.

Responding to a question about Republican retirements in early October, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, “It makes me very happy to see my good and dear friends spending more time with their families.”

The hurdles Democratic leaders face in 2008 are different than in 2007. Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will be challenged to capture the spotlight during what will likely be one of the most riveting presidential election years.

During a 2006 interview with The Hill, Pelosi acknowledged that it was nearly impossible to garner attention when President Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) faced off in 2004: “When I first became leader, we were putting together our ideas. People said to me, ‘It doesn’t matter. Nobody’s going to care. It’s only about the presidential,’ and they were right.”

Unlike 2004, Democrats are now in the congressional majority. Still, commanding the public’s attention next year will not be easy against possible storylines such as the first female, first African-American or first GOP supporter of abortion rights becoming the next president.

The 2008 House schedule starts in January and aims to end in September. Congressional leaders regularly miss their target adjournment date, but the lower chamber’s Sept. 26 goal will likely be met. The GOP is targeting many freshman Democratic lawmakers, and leadership understands they need time to shake hands and kiss babies in their districts. The first-termers will get more time to do that, throughout the year and, most importantly, in October of 2008.