The House adjourned for its five-week August recess Thursday, with lawmakers fanning out across their districts for a crucial sprint of campaign events and voter outreach.
Some members have already held their primary elections and are gearing up for their November general elections, but others are still facing off in contentious primary races. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is set to campaign in more than 30 districts and cities across 17 states during the monthlong break as Republicans try to hold onto their slim majority.
Members fled the House floor Thursday morning, after passing a slew of high-profile pieces of legislation, to head back home and spread their party’s respective midterm messaging to anyone it can reach.
Republicans are largely expected to campaign on policies within the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, work to eliminate fraud, and their own records as they make their pitch to voters to reelect them this November.
“Every town hall, local interview, community event, and constituent meeting is an opportunity to remind voters what we’ve accomplished, what we’ve fought for, and what’s at stake if we lose our majority,” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) wrote in a letter sent to members on Thursday that was obtained by the Washington Examiner.
Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference Blake Moore (R-UT) said he would be holding several events highlighting the Trump Accounts, saying “every single child in America should be signed up for an investment account.”
“It’s going to change the way we think about, you know, preparing and investing in our future,” Moore said. “That’s a significant key piece. That’s what I — I’m doing a bunch of events on it. We’ve got members that are showing that. That’s the sensation. It’s been talked about for a long time back here. Bipartisan issue, and we got it done. That’s a great message to share.”
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), who is vying for reelection in a battleground House seat, said he has a “very active agenda planned in the district.”
“We’re going to be back home visiting local businesses, meeting with constituents, doing lots of in-person events in the district to talk about what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past year and a half,” he said. “Delivering record tax relief, securing the border, getting bipartisan housing legislation done, and so many other things, and also hear about priorities going forward.”
Mackenzie said he planned to talk about affordable healthcare and expanding workforce development opportunities in the district as well.
Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to center their messaging on the cost of living. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told reporters Democrats would be “launching an effort connected to our commitment to fight for an affordable America, and have 100 days of action beginning this Sunday, July 26.”
Jeffries said Democrats will be “making clear to the American people that we’re focused on lowering the cost of groceries and gas and housing, we’re committed to a country that provides affordable healthcare for every American, and we also are committed as Democrats to hold the crooks accountable who’ve been robbing the American people blind and that includes a whole lot of folks in this town and folks across the country.”
Other members head back home to more unique problems facing their communities, such as Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO), who told the Washington Examiner a lot of his attention would be turned to grappling with the wildfires that have ravaged his district.
“Traveling around my district,” Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) told the Washington Examiner. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a really bad wildfire season, so probably visiting fires, making sure that we’re working with folks on the fire lines that are protecting our communities. Gotten some moisture in Colorado, but that only adds to problems in areas that have been burned.”
A handful of states hold their primary elections during the August district work period, as members head back to campaign.
“My primary is August 4, so I’m back in the district from now until then,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) told the Washington Examiner. “And then I’m also traveling internationally, meeting with progressive leaders. I’m leading a delegation to Uruguay of members of Congress to the Pan American Conference, and going to a couple of other countries in Europe as well to meet with progressive legislators.”
WEDDING BELLS RING FOR ROB BRESNAHAN AND CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS OVER AUGUST RECESS
But traveling around their state or district isn’t the only thing members use this time for. Many members and staff are keen on planning their weddings around the August recess, as it often serves as a breather during the most consistent recess break.
“I will be celebrating my one-year wedding anniversary on August 16th, so we will be celebrating with a Bresnabarbecue with all of our grassroots volunteers, that’ll be on August 16,” Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) told the Washington Examiner. “We have a lot of fairs. We have the Wayne County Fair going on. A lot of district meetings. We don’t have any travel planned, but I think it’ll be every day, all day, throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.”
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
