119th Congress Took 16 Breaks During Shutdown and Iran Conflict

Com. U.S. history lasted 43 days in fall 2025 and while the United States conducted military operations against Iran. The House and Senate observed a mid-February recess from Feb. 14 to Feb. 22, 2026, coinciding with the start of a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

They also took a two-week Easter recess from March 30 to April 12, 2026, during which flight delays and TSA staffing shortages occurred at airports.

During the 43-day shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson extended district work periods and the House did not return for regular votes. The Senate held short breaks and reconvened for votes in early October 2025 before continuing meetings into November to negotiate continuing resolutions.

Democratic Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz introduced a resolution on Oct. 10, 2025, calling for the House to reconvene and hold recorded quorum calls. The 117th and 118th Congresses recorded between 30 and 38 total recesses and work periods, according to Ballotpedia.

Both chambers began their current recess on Thursday and postponed action on a $72 billion reconciliation package requested by President Donald Trump to fund immigration enforcement by June 1. 776 billion fund for payments to individuals alleging the justice system was weaponized against them.

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York introduced legislation Thursday to bar taxpayer funding for that measure. Lawmakers will not address the bill until returning from the Memorial Day recess on June 2.

The House delayed a vote on a war powers resolution that would restrict President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations in Iran until after the Memorial Day recess. Four Senate Republicans, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, voted to advance the resolution procedurally on Tuesday, with a floor vote also deferred until after the recess.