Article 1, Section 5, Paragraph 4
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
So what happened?
One of the first mistakes was paying each member $6 a day when Congress met. Benjamin Franklin fought long and hard to not allow members any pay. In 1816, pay was changed to an annual salary to stop endless sessions.
The longest session (81st session) was in 1949-51 when the Senate remained in session 389 days. The 104th Senate in 1995-1997 stayed in session 343 days.
Both houses determine their own salaries, agendas, and staff levels. They have carved out for themselves a very wonderful package of benefits, glorious buildings, perks that do not seem to end, and empires that last their lifetime.
What was intended to last an afternoon or two has been allowed to become a firm chokehold on American life and living.
Fat cat politicians seem intent on implementing a socialist agenda upon our great United States Republic. Instead of limiting the Federal Government through severe disagreement, the Houses have become a “good old boys” club where invasive, intrusive and overwhelming laws are constantly passed.
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