APMA News - September 2012 - (Page 28)

Federal Advocacy Forum By Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM Returning from Recess As a resident of northern Virginia, I can attest that the rumors about Washington, DC’s torrid temperatures and suffocating humidity in summer months are true. Members of Congress are not immune, either. The legislative branch has made a tradition of taking August off, going back to the first Congress, in New York in 1790. Back then, the break lasted until December (it often took weeks to travel between the nation’s capital and some Southern states). Throughout much of the 19th century, Congress adjourned in June or July to escape the heat of Washington summers. It bears mentioning, of course, that until the 20th century, being a federal lawmaker was not a full-time position: Members of Congress conducted legislative business for half a year, and ethics laws did not bar them from working other jobs. The legislative calendar reflected that reality, enabling lawmakers to return to their fields or businesses for extended periods of time. The first “air-conditioning” system was installed in the US Capitol in 1929, but it was rudimentary and provided little benefit on truly hot days except for at least circulating the air in otherwise stagnant chambers. However, by that time, the tradition of taking an August recess for the sake of one’s health and general sanity had taken hold. It would be almost three decades, when the Capitol was renovated in the late 1950s, before the air-conditioning system was improved sufficiently to stand up to the oppressive August heat. But it wasn’t until 1970 that Congress passed the Legislative Reorganization Act making the August “recess” official and mandatory. It is the only statutory recess on the legislative calendar. August recess became law after junior members with young families lobbied senior lawmakers in the 1960s to create a more predictable legislative calendar and designate vacation times. Members were looking for regularity and wanted to be able to promise their families in January that they could have an August vacation. The annual August recess is officially called a “district work period.” Most members of Congress—especially in an election year—use the time to hold town halls/public meetings and make themselves more available to their constituents in other ways. Many organized groups target the August recess as an especially good time of year to get face time with members of Congress because they are in their home offices for a longer sustained period and are less distracted. Members of Congress also may spend some of the August break time with their often-neglected families (very few bring their families to live in Washington, DC, due to the expense). Others take official trips joining delegations that travel the 28 APMA News September 2012 world to examine firsthand areas they have been debating. Although there is the widespread stereotype that these trips are thinly disguised vacations (e.g., visiting an air show in Paris), members of Congress also have visited the battlefields of Afghanistan and Kosovo and other far less desirable places. Some historians point out that recessing—particularly establishing deadlines—serves as a positive force for the legisla- Many organized groups target the August recess as an especially good time of year to get face time with members of Congress because they are in their home offices for a longer sustained period and are less distracted. tive process. Deadlines force action, and Congress is more likely to wrap up major bills in advance of major recesses. The recess also has partisan and electoral benefits. It provides an opportunity to go home and for members to sell what the majority party has been doing or for the minority party to complain about what the majority party has been doing. There’s an electoral incentive, and likely a partisan incentive, to get out of town. What does all of this mean now that we’re back from recess in September? Basically, Congress has but a week or two of legislative days this month before it takes another break so members can campaign in their states and districts. It is unlikely that much of anything will get done in September in advance of the elections, leaving some big-ticket items for Congress to tackle in an almost certain “lame duck” session (November and December). These issues include our perennial Medicare physician payment problem to avoid another steep cut come January, and some form of extension or modification of expiring tax provisions. So, welcome back from summer recess, everyone! There is still a lot of legislating and political posturing to come before the end of the year. May the cooler weather motivate more productive bipartisan action on the important policy issues before us! n APMA Trustee Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM, can be reached at sarubenstein@apma.org.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - September 2012

APMA News - September 2012
President’s Message
Contents
US Surgeon General Addresses APMA at The National
2012 is a Milestone Year for APMA, and for Other Institutions as Well
APMA Member and Daughter Help Disabled Find their Freedom
Dr. Caporusso Promotes Podiatric Medicine on Capitol Hill
Use eAdvocacy to Reach Your Elected Leaders Today!
APMA by the Decade: 1982–1991
2012 Podiatric Practice Survey: Net Income Statistics
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
List of Cosponsors to the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Bylaws Propositions Due
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
Resolutions Deadlines
In Short
Worthy of Note
CPME Invitation for Comments
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - September 2012