From Tanning to Shoveling Dung: What Congress Is Doing On Its Summer Vacation
Forbes may have rated DC the coolest city in the nation - but lawmakers off for the August recess often find more to love in their home districts than in Washington.
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Sure, high-profile meetings with international leaders are fun to brag about at a dinner party. But when two of your constituents are Buzz and Woody - now that's pretty cool.
Hanging w/ Buzz & Woody at @DisneyPixar. Thanks to employee & #ca15 constituent, Jeanette for the tour! pic.twitter.com/ypI0ONjjfz
- Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 11, 2014
Of course, governing's not all glitz and glamour. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty - literally. Here's what Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., did during his day-long stint as on Freund's Farm:
One of my jobs was to shovel manure into the mixer. Insert snarky caption at will. pic.twitter.com/3zrVdc5hU9 - Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 11, 2014
… At least he has a sense of humor. While Murphy shoveled shi - er - explored the agribusiness industry, Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., ventured into high-tech:
Got to drive a robot at @MontgomeryIL Fest. Thanks to @oswego308 robotics clubs! #CongressScienceGuy #ScienceGeek pic.twitter.com/iAadV0eLry
- Bill Foster (@RepBillFoster) August 11, 2014
And Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., delved into arachnology. Back away from the spider, Madam Congresswoman. Meanwhile, animal-loving Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, threw a birthday bash for his puppies:
Decided to throw a birthday party for our puppies Buckeye and Bear. They turned one year old this week pic.twitter.com/N2F80IU3AP - Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) August 13, 2014
(He has three real kids, by the way.)
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., warmed up for an interview on Iraq in his son's America-themed fort…
Quick dinner in makeshift fort w 2 yr old (don't ask) before doing @allinwithchris on Iraq at 8. pic.twitter.com/W7qfD2W6on
- Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 8, 2014
… Rep. Illeanna Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., snuggled her brand-new grandbaby …
Sunday #FunDay is even better when you get 2 share it w ur loved ones. My new grand baby is a joy. pic.twitter.com/zPJG38pSJV - Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) August 10, 2014
… And Rep. Hartzler celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with a #TBT-worthy shot of her and her groom.
Today is Lowell and I's 30th Wedding Anniversary! So thankful for him. We haven't changed a bit! pic.twitter.com/FViejBXdgS
- Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) August 11, 2014
But if you thought members of congress were all stodgy suits, think again. Some wear costumes…
Orson calling Mork, come in Mork…Come in Mork…Mork… Thank u 4 making us laugh Robin Williams pic.twitter.com/Msp9Yv7gjE - Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) August 12, 2014
…Some don uniforms…
… And some ditch the shirt entirely. (He's only a little proud of those abs.)
Other congressional fitness buffs kept their twelve packs under wraps. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who lost his mother to multiple myeloma, biked to raise money for cancer research.
82 miles in - just finished trek up Reynolds Rd. These great volunteers were a welcome sight. Keep it up riders! pic.twitter.com/AN0BGnHLjK
- Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 9, 2014
Al Franken, D-Minn., angled to play catch on the Vikings practice field.
And Cory Booker scaled a rock wall (you just scored major uncle points there, Sen. Booker).
Rock Climbing at The Liberty Science Center with my niece. #SpiderPeopleWannabes pic.twitter.com/7iJljyOsWP
- Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 8, 2014
Some lawmakers were not so healthy-minded. In fact, self-proclaimed chocaholic and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, served as a guest judge on TLC's new pastry show, Next Great Breaker.
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But one of the biggest recess crazes: congressional selfies. #potatoeheadselfie #bovineudderselfie #corybookerselfie #whyareyouwearingashirt,aaron? #selfieobsessed.
Beat this selfie, @CoryBooker. #PotatoHeadSelfie pic.twitter.com/SkqUK9MVcI - Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 5, 2014
Mid-milking selfie. pic.twitter.com/A7fY3SQswq - Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 11, 2014
Selfie time with the Senator. @SenBlumenthal with veterans in West Haven. pic.twitter.com/sHfcgm48NE - George Colli (@GeorgeColli) August 7, 2014
Great meeting you all. RT @ghanshyamp93 MP dance crew makes it into a Cory Booker selfie pre-performance at #mm14rbv. pic.twitter.com/LY1VJphlgw - Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 10, 2014
Checking out the view of the 18th district from the top of a wind turbine with @EDPRenewables Def worth the climb! pic.twitter.com/dh7YOwfnz2 - Aaron Schock (@aaronschock) August 13, 2014
And lest you think the August recess is all fun and games - Former opthomologist Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for example, "restored vision" to three pro-bono patients in his home district.
ABC News' Scott Wilson contributed to this report.