Vacation vs. Recess

Do you know the difference between a vacation and a recess? Well, the President takes a vacation, but Congress takes a recess.

Here are the Congressional 'recess' periods for 2004:

Senate

January 1-19

February 16-20

March 15-19

April 12 - April 16

May 24 - 31

June 26 - July 5

July 26 - September 6

October 1 - Target adjournment


House

January 1-19

February 16 - 20

April 5 - 16

May 24 - 31

June 26 - July 5

July 26 - September 6

October 1- Target Adjournment

In 2005, the Congress was scheduled for district work (meaning Congress was not in session) from August 1 to September 5. That is pretty much five weeks, which is roughly the same period that President Bush goes to his ranch in Texas. Why do we not hear about how Congress is on vacation when it is pretty much the same timeframe that President Bush goes to his ranch in Crawford Texas.

Could it be something related to media bias? Curious.