7 people working less than Congress

After eight days back in D.C., Congress has decided it has had enough.

House leaders opted on Thursday to end their already brief time in the nation’s capital before the November midterm elections to allow members to return home and campaign. The decision came just over a week after lawmakers returned from a five-week summer recess.

Members voted to keep the government open and signed off on President Obama’s plan to arm Syrian rebels to fight ISIS terrorists. But that was apparently all they could handle before running to National Airport. The Senate is expected to adjourn on Thursday as well.

Lawmakers tend to spend a lot of time on the campaign trail during election years (there were only five more legislative days left on the House’s calendar before Election Day). But the number of days recently that Congress hasn’t performed its primary function is truly stunning.

Inspired by Congress’ ability to get out of work, we here at Fusion came up with a list of people working less than our elected officials:

1. Venezuelan plastic surgeons, post breast-implant shortage
2. Peter Gibbons
3. The DEA’s Denver division
4. The NFL’s female advisory council
5. Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon
6. George R.R. Martin’s barber
7. Malaysia Airlines customer satisfaction office

Jordan Fabian is Fusion’s politics editor, writing about campaigns, Congress, immigration, and more. When he’s not working, you can find him at the ice rink or at home with his wife, Melissa.