Dem Leaders Ask To Stay, But House (and Hirono) Heads Home

The U.S. House of Representatives has just wrapped up what is likely to be its final business before November’s election.

Members voted on a number of amendments and a coal energy bill (more on that later). But before they adjourned for recess, minority Democrats called a press conference chiding the GOP for going home without finishing more work first.

“Republicans are leaving town with a stack of unfinished business the public expects us to get done,” Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer said in a statement. “But let me say this about our Caucus: We are ‘Fired Up and Ready to … Stay!’ We’re fired up and ready to stay here and do the work for the American people.”

DC808 caught up with Hawaii Rep. Mazie Hirono after the voting was done to see what she thought of her party’s stated desire to eschew the campaign trail and instead stay in Washington to continue the people’s work.

“Clearly, I think that we should have spent a lot more our time here creating jobs and getting our economy going,” Hirono said, avoiding the question in an interview at the Rayburn Room near the House Chamber.

Remember, Hirono missed votes last week, and she has plans to fly to Hawaii Saturday to resume her race against Republican Linda Lingle.

— Michael Levine