Washington D.C., congressional staffers spent this past week exhaling a collective sigh of relief as, for the first time in 2025, both the House and Senate were on recess.
Though much of the spotlight of Congress is on the 535 elected House and Senate members, much of behind-the-scenes legislative and constituent work is handled by thousands of staffers working in cramped quarters in congressional offices with little fanfare.
These staffers, often in their 20s with political science degrees and high ambitions, migrate to the nation’s Capitol to work long days and nights to keep the legislative branch running. Most days they are riding the high of living in the center of politics. But what do they do when their boss leaves town for the first full week of recess during the non-stop pace of the second Trump administration?
The Washington Examiner talked to roughly a dozen staffers, including many who requested anonymity to speak freely, and found they are catching up on calls, coffees, work, and enjoying casual dress for a change.
“Not having to wear a suit and tie to work is the best part,” one Senate committee staffer told the Washington Examiner. “It’s the tie as a male staffer.”
Each member of the House and Senate has an office of staffers who work tirelessly to get legislation passed, collaborate with other members, and make sure their boss has everything they need to be successful. Not only do the members’ personal offices have a full slate of staffers but each Congressional committee has its own staff. Legistorm shows just under 17,000 employees are helping keep Congress running.
Since the 119th Congress began, the Senate had gone 10 straight weeks without a recess to spend a week in their respective states and see their local constituents. Typically, they don’t work that many weeks in a row in D.C., but the demands to confirm Trump’s Cabinet and fund the government made for an unusually long and grueling stretch.
Session days are packed to the brim with things to do and places to be, which leaves both members and staff exhausted after a long stint.
Washington doesn’t work on a nine-to-five schedule, with evening events, votes, fundraising, and networking. D.C. revolves around whether the members are in town or if they are not in town. Recess offers staffers the luxury of leaving work when the clock strikes 5 p.m.
“I enjoy in-session more than recess, which may be a hot take. I enjoy the rapid-fire that comes with being a communications staffer in the House,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) Communications Director Armani Gracia told the Washington Examiner. “It’s like the guitar solo from Free Bird on repeat.”
During session — what most staffers say makes the job worth it — they are busy in meetings, working on legislation, attending hearings, writing press releases, and doing tasks asked of them.
“I like in-session much better because there is so much going on, but the 10 weeks, no recess, was brutal so I was really looking forward to this break,” the Senate committee staffer continued.
Most staffers agree recess is “100% more fun.”
Some offices hold happy hours in their spare time after work—a luxury they often do not experience when the members are in town. Other offices listen to music or watch March Madness instead of hours and hours of live House floor proceedings running all day.
“We do a lot of happy hours where we all hang out, and it’s easier to coordinate,” said a GOP House Press Assistant. “We go to Mexican restaurants, my office loves it. It’s just a little more bonding time for us and we joke around a lot more.”
Recess is a time for these overworked staffers to take a deep breath and have some time away from their boss. Aside from the fun recess brings, staffers in both chambers said they use this time to catch up on all the work they couldn’t get done during the craziness of when Congress is gaveled in.
“It’s mostly just getting ahead for the next week and getting in workout classes,” one House communications director said.
The extra desk time that comes with recess allows staffers to do any work that had been backlogged during the whirlwind of an in-session week.
“I truly can not say how much backlog I have for recess,” one House legislative correspondent told the Washington Examiner. “I’m never going to win the battle and be on top of things in session. Out of session I am on top of things and feel like I’m good at my job.”
The extra time spent during recess is crucial in a world that revolves around networking. The extra coffee chat or happy hour can be instrumental when their bosses come back. Those interactions can help with co-sponsoring a bill, partnering on an effort, or collaborating on social media.
“Building community and relationships on the hill is so important to get work done,” one Democratic House staffer said.
Every staffer pointed out the influx of coffee chats they go on during recess that they would never have the time for when their bosses are heading back and forth to the House and Senate chambers for votes.
Not only are relationships built over dozens of coffees, but recess is the most ideal time in politics to take a vacation.
“We only schedule trips during recess, it’s one of our rules,” the Senate committee staffer told the Washington Examiner.
Staffers say while they appreciate the time with the boss away, there comes a point when they miss the bustle and even their member of Congress, including his or her quirks.
“Greg sits in the leg [legislative] pit with us and just talks about funny stuff that happened on the floor, social media, or a documentary. I appreciate him coming back there with us,” said Morgan Kull, digital director for Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH).
Kull said her office is “very fun and casual” with two dogs in the office and a question of the day for a fun pick-me-up during recess.
“I definitely have a good relationship with my member so I miss that during recess days,” said another Democratic House staffer. “I love his personality and jokes. His care for the district is very grounding.”
“We miss our member in the sense that she’s really fun,” added the House legislative correspondent, noting her boss texts them when she is home to keep in touch.
The glory period, also known as recess, will be short-lived as lawmakers return to D.C. on Monday for work. This means the quieter congressional halls will be replaced by long, bustling hours. The House and Senate will remain in session for three straight weeks until taking the week off on April 14 ahead of the Easter holiday.
With all the upsides of recess, such as relaxation, happy hours, and finally feeling caught up, staffers say that session work is ultimately why they do what they do and what inspires them to stay. Helping to work on legislation and hold committee hearings feels meaningful and makes a difference, they say.
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The hectic schedule and crazy hours band the thousands who work on the Hill together with a common denominator. Regardless of party, they understand the ins and outs of the legislative power center.
“I miss the schedule of session,” a Senate GOP staffer told the Washington Examiner. “I almost feel like session is fake it until you f******* make it, as long as you aren’t drowning.”
“We’re in the trenches together,” added the Senate committee staffer.
