Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: September 2001
Early last month President Bush departed for a month-long hiatus in Texas and just about the same time Congress opted to take its August recess.

Early last month President Bush departed for a month-long hiatus in Texas and just about the same time Congress opted to take its August recess. So, the dog days of August descended on a more or less deserted legislative Washington.

Bush called the retreat to his Texas ranch a “working vacation,” but by the time he comes back to the White House around Labor Day, the President can clock in all or part of 54 days at the ranch since January–and that comes to about a quarter of his term in office to date. Add to that four days in Kennebunkport, Maine, and 38 days, full or partial, at Camp David, Md., to bring the time at vacation spots to about 42 percent.