119th Congress — 1st Session
Congressional Session Calendar
Keeping tabs on when your elected officials are actually at work. Because someone has to.
Your tax dollars on vacation.
February 2026
207
Session Days
in 2026
156
Recess Days
in 2026
How Does This Work?
Congress follows a schedule set by leadership at the beginning of each session. The calendar above shows the planned session and recess periods for 2025, though actual dates can shift due to legislative needs or national emergencies.
In Session means both chambers are scheduled to be meeting and conducting legislative business — debating bills, holding hearings, and (occasionally) voting on things.
On Recess means members have returned to their districts for "constituent work" — which may or may not involve actual constituent work.
2025 Recess Schedule
- Inauguration Recess Jan 20 - Feb 2
- Presidents' Day Recess Feb 17 - Feb 23
- Easter Recess Mar 24 - Apr 6
- Memorial Day Recess May 26 - Jun 1
- Summer Recess (The Big One) Jul 4 - Sep 7
- Columbus Day & Election Recess Oct 13 - Nov 9
- Thanksgiving Recess Nov 24 - Nov 30
- Holiday Recess Dec 19 onward
Did You Know?
- * Congress typically works around 140-160 days per year. The average American works about 250.
- * The summer recess is often called the "August Recess" even though it spans July through Labor Day.
- * Members earn $174,000 per year plus benefits. Math on that is left as an exercise for the reader.
- * "District work periods" are the official term for recess. Sounds more productive, doesn't it?