In The News

Key Findings:
Members focus most of their time on legislative/policy work and on constituent services—not political activities.

When in Washington, D.C., Members reported spending their time as follows: 35% on “Legislative/Policy Work”

 17% on “Constituent Services Work”
 17% on “Political/Campaign Work”
 9% on “Press/Media Relations”
 9% with “Family/Friends”
 7% on “Administrative/Managerial Work”
 6% on “Personal Time”

When in their congressional districts, Members reported spending their time as follows: 32% on “Constituent Services Work”

 18% on “Political/Campaign Work”
 14% on “Press/Media Relations”
 12% on “Legislative/Policy Work”
 9% with “Family/Friends”
 8% on “Personal Time”
 7% on “Administrative/Managerial Work”

Members work long hours whether the House chamber is in session or not.

When asked about their hours in a typical seven-day week, Members report that they work on average 70 hours per week while the House of Representatives in session, and 59 hours per week when their chamber is out of session.

When the House is out of session and not voting, or when the House has scheduled “district/constituent work periods” (otherwise known as “recess”), the majority of Members return to their districts. In this study, 78% of Members report spending more than 40 weekends each year in their district.