House session to fade away

Politico reports that the House Republican leadership is struggling to come up with an agenda to fill the 19 legislative days that are left in 2013. The House will finish its work week on Wednesday. After that, it is out of session until November 12. Moreover, Speaker Boehner reportedly is thinking about canceling some of the remaining session days.

I consider this good news. For one thing, it confirms that immigration reform is virtually dead this session. More broadly, there’s nothing of consequence the House can pass that the Senate will embrace. All things considered, then, out-of-sight, out-of-mind seems like a good strategy for the House right now.

One non-legislative agenda item for House Republicans and their staffers (and others in Congress) is signing up for health insurance:

On Monday, House GOP chiefs of staff are meeting with leadership and the House Administration Committee on how members and staff will handle enrollment in the health care exchanges mandated under ACA. Boehner and House Republicans unsuccessfully pushed legislation that would end the government’s employer contribution to health care for lawmakers and aides. Now that they have to sign up, House Republicans face numerous questions on how to do so and who is covered.

If the experiences of House members and their staffs are anything like those of ordinary Americans, this venture should help fill a chunk of the remaining session time.

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