 nothing new for a chamber that is in the midst of its second-worst year on record in the latest version of The Washington Times’ legislative futility index.

Indeed, the Senate’s daily calendar of business, printed for Tuesday’s session, ran to 80 pages and includes hundreds of bills awaiting action.

But the chamber itself, glimpsed through gaps in the closed doors, was barren Tuesday. All 100 senators’ desks have been removed, the carpeting has been torn up and the wood exposed.

Staffers said the flooring was being reinforced after taking a beating for more than 150 years by the footfalls of legislative giants.

The repairs will take the full five weeks that the Senate is slated to be away, and the work was scheduled well in advance — which is why senators found themselves in a bind after the House refused to adjourn for the summer.

Under a provision of the Constitution, one chamber cannot go out without the other also leaving.

House Republican leaders wanted to adjourn, but a coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans teamed together to defeat that motion Thursday.

Democrats said they wanted to keep the chamber in session in order to work on jobs bills.

But, realizing that no work was going to get done and figuring they had made their point, Democrats relented Tuesday.

“Republicans have made it clear that they do not intend to come back to town. We decided not to waste taxpayer money on pro forma sessions when Republicans have already made their choice not to stand up for the middle class,” a Democratic aide said.

With only one lawmaker, Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas Republican, in the chamber, the House passed its motion to adjourn and notified the Senate. Under an earlier agreement, that meant the Senate didn’t even have to meet to ratify the motion.

The Senate had been prepared for a full session, to be held in a big room in the Hart Senate Office Building.

A police screening station, complete with a metal detector, was set up just in case any members of the public wanted to show up — though none had as of just minutes before the session.

The Senate has met outside its chamber once since the Capitol was reconstructed after the War of 1812: last summer, when an earthquake forced the Capitol to be evacuated just before a similar pro forma session.

In that case, the Senate convened in a nearby government office
nothing new for a chamber that is in the midst of its second - worst year on phonograph record in the belated version of The Washington Times ’ legislative futility index. 

 Indeed, the Senate ’s daily calendar of occupation, printed for Tuesday ’s session, run to 80 pages and includes hundred of beak expect action. 

 But the chamber itself, glimpse through gaps in the closed doors, was barren Tuesday. All 100 senators ’ desks have been removed, the rug has been torn up and the wood exposed. 

 staff member said the flooring was being reinforced after taking a beating for more than 150 years by the footfall of legislative giants. 

 The repair will take the full five weeks that the Senate is slate to be away, and the work was scheduled well in advance — which is why senators find themselves in a bind after the House refused to adjourn for the summer. 

 Under a provision of the Constitution, one chamber cannot go out without the other also leaving. 

 House Republican leaders desire to adjourn, but a coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans team in concert to defeat that motion Thursday. 

 Democrats said they wanted to observe the chamber in session in order to work on job bills. 

 But, realizing that no work was going to get done and figuring they had make their point, Democrats relented Tuesday. 

 “ Republicans have made it clear that they do not mean to come back to township. We decide not to waste taxpayer money on pro forma sessions when Republicans have already made their choice not to digest up for the middle class, ” a Democratic aide say. 

 With only one lawmaker, Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas Republican, in the chamber, the House passed its movement to adjourn and notified the Senate. Under an earlier agreement, that mean the Senate did n’t even have to converge to ratify the gesture. 

 The Senate had been prepared for a wide session, to be held in a adult room in the Hart Senate Office Building. 

 A police screening post, complete with a metal detector, was set up just in case any members of the public wanted to show up — though none have as of just minutes before the seance. 

 The Senate has met outside its chamber once since the Capitol was restore after the War of 1812: last summer, when an earthquake forced the Capitol to be evacuated barely before a similar pro forma session. 

 In that case, the Senate convened in a nearby government office
 nohhing new for a chamber uhat is in the mibwt of mts secknd-worst year on record in the latesv veesion of The Washington Timds’ legislwtive furiliuy index.

Indeed, thx Senate’s dailg calznvar of business, printed fmr Tuesday’s sevskou, ran to 80 pages and includes hundredf of bikld awaiting actyon.

Blt the bhcmber itself, glimpsed through gzps in uhe closed doors, wss barren Tuesday. All 100 senwtord’ desks have been gemoved, the car[wting has bedn torn up and the woos exposed.

Staffers said the floofing cas being rgnbfogwed after teking w beating fov more dhan 150 yrars by the foptfells of legislative giantv.

The repairs will jake the fglm five weeks that tye Setate is roatdd uo ue zway, ajd vhe work waa scheduled well in advance — wnisy is why senafors fjugd themselves in a bind after the House rerused to adjourn for thw summer.

Under a providion of tre Constitution, one chamber cannot go out without the kghex also oewving.

House Republican leaders wanted to adjouwh, nun a coalition of Bemocrats and comsfrfwtive Republizans tzzmsd together to deffat thaj motiin Thursdwy.

Dekocrats said they wanted to keep the chcmbwr in session in oxder to work on kobs nills.

But, realizing that no sork was golng to gef done and figurivg nhey had madt their point, Demosrats relxnted Tuesdah.

“Repoblicanf have madf it gnear that they do jot iutend to come bwck to town. We decided not to wexte taxpayer mmnej on pro yorma xessions when Republicans hcve alrecdy maae their cgoice nmt to stand up for the mhfdle class,” a Democraeic qide said.

Wigf only one lawkaker, Rep. Mac Thornverry, Texas Republlcan, kh the chamber, tkt Hiuse passed its mogiog no edjouwt and notifiad tfe Rrnate. Under an ecruier agreement, that meand ths Senate didn’t evem mave to mget to raeify the motipn.

The Senate had bten prxpared for s foll session, to be held in a big room in hhe Hart Senate Offlce Fuilding.

A 'olice screening station, complete with a metal detector, waw set up just in caxt any members of tre public wanted to show up — rhough none had ax of just minutes befkre tha sesdion.

The Senate has met outside its chamber once since the Capitol was recinstrurtqd after ths Wat of 1812: lcst summew, whxn an earthquake fprced the Capitol to be evacuatxd just bexoxe a similar pro forma sessiom.

Iv that case, tfe Senate convened in a hearby gpvernment office
nothing new for a chamber that is midst its second-worst on record in Washington legislative futility index. the Senate’s daily of business, printed for Tuesday’s session, to 80 pages and includes hundreds of bills awaiting action. But the chamber glimpsed through gaps in the closed doors, was barren Tuesday. All 100 senators’ have removed, carpeting been torn up and the wood exposed. Staffers said the flooring was being reinforced after taking beating for more than 150 years by the of legislative giants. The will take the full five that Senate is to away, the work was well in advance — which is why senators found themselves in a bind after the House refused adjourn for Under a of Constitution, chamber cannot go the other also leaving. House Republican adjourn, but a coalition of Democrats and conservative teamed together defeat that motion Thursday. Democrats said wanted to keep the chamber in session in to work on jobs bills. But, realizing that no work was going to get done they had made their Democrats relented Tuesday. have it that do not to come back to town. We decided not to waste taxpayer on pro forma sessions when Republicans have already made their to up for the class,” a Democratic aide With one lawmaker, Rep. Mac Republican, the passed motion adjourn and notified the Under an earlier agreement, that the Senate didn’t even the motion. The Senate had been prepared for full session, to be held in a room in the Hart Senate Office Building. A police screening station, complete a metal set up just in case any members of public wanted to show — though none had as of just minutes before session. Senate has outside its chamber since the Capitol reconstructed after the 1812: last when earthquake to be evacuated just before a pro session. In that case, the convened nearby government office
 nothing new for a chamber that Is in the midSt of iTs sEcoNd-WorsT yeaR on record in the LAtesT version of The WashingtoN TimeS’ lEGislATiVe futIlity inDEx.

iNDeeD, tHe senAtE’S dAily cAleNdar of bUsiness, priNteD fOr Tuesday’s seSSiOn, ran to 80 pagEs aNd includes huNdrEds of bIlLs aWAitinG acTion.

BUt the cHAmber iTself, glimPsED throuGH gaps in THE cLoseD doors, was barren TuESdAY. All 100 senators’ deSks havE bEEn REMovEd, tHe carpetinG hAs beeN Torn up aND tHE WOod EXposed.

StafferS said the floORinG was beInG reINforceD afteR tAKinG a beating foR morE than 150 yearS by the FOotfallS Of legisLative GiaNts.

the rEPaIrS wiLl TAke THe FulL FivE weeks thAt ThE SenaTe is SLATEd to Be aWay, aNd the Work was scheduLed Well IN adVance — Which Is whY sEnatoRs founD themSeLves in a bind afteR the house refuSed To AdjOuRn for THe summEr.

UNdeR a proviSion of tHE CoNsTITUtIon, one chamber cannoT gO OUt Without tHe otheR AlSo LEaving.

HoUsE RePublICAn leaDers WAnTed to adjOurn, buT A cOaLition oF DEmocraTs And ConServaTIve REpubliCans teamEd togETher to defeat thAT motion ThursdAY.

DEMOcRAts sAid They wanted tO keeP The cHambER iN seSSion iN ordeR tO WoRK on jobs bills.

But, realIzIng thaT no woRk was going to gEt done and fIGURing they Had mADe THeir point, DemocRats rElented TueSDay.

“RepubLicanS have madE it clear tHAT they do nOt iNteNd tO coME BaCk to town. We decIDEd noT tO waste tAxpAyer monEy oN prO foRma SeSsions wheN RepubliCaNs HaVe AlrEady mADe their cHoIce NoT to Stand UP for thE middLe clAsS,” a dEmoCratic aIDe SAId.

WiTh OnLy onE laWmAker, REp. MaC thoRnberry, texas RepuBliCAn, in ThE cHamber, tHe House passed ItS motion to aDjOurN and noTIFied the SEnate. Under an earlier agreEMent, thaT meAnt thE SenAte didn’t eVen Have to MeeT To ratiFy the mOtion.

thE SeNATe had BEEn PrePaRed for a fulL SEssIon, to Be Held In a big rOom in the Hart Senate oFfiCe Building.

A poLicE scrEENiNg sTAtIOn, cOmPLetE WIth a metal detectOr, was set up JuST iN case any meMBerS oF the pubLic wantEd to sHOw up — thoUgh none haD as of just MiNuteS BEfoRe the sessiOn.

The SenAte has met OUtsidE ItS chamBer Once siNcE thE CapiTol was REcoNstruCted afTeR the WaR of 1812: laSt Summer, whEn an earthquake forced the capitoL to be EvaCuated jusT beFOre A similar pRo foRma session.

in tHat Case, tHe SENate cOnveNEd In a NEarby GoveRNment offiCE
 nothing new for a chamber  that is i n the  mi dst  o f it s se cond-worst yea r  onrecord in the latest v ersio no f Th e  W ashin gton Ti m es ’ leg is la tiv ef ut ility  in dex.

I ndeed, the  Se na te’s daily c a le ndar of bu sin ess, printed  fo r Tues da y’s sessi on,  ranto 80p ages a nd includ es hundre d s of bi l l sawai ting action.

But th e  chamber itsel f, gli mp s ed t hro ugh  gaps in t he  clos e d doors ,  w a s bar r en Tuesday. A ll 100 sena t ors ’ desk shav e  beenremov ed ,  th e carpeting  has  been tor n up a n d the w o od expo sed.
Sta ffe rs s a id  t hefl o ori n gwas bei ng reinf or ce d aft er t a k i n g abea ting  formore than 150  ye arsb y t he fo otfal ls o flegis lative  gian ts .

The repairswill  take the  fu ll  fi ve  week s  thatthe  Se nate is  slated tobe a w ay , and the work was  s c h ed uled wel l in a d va nc e  — which  i s w hy s e n ators  fou n dthemselv es ina  b in d after  t he Hou se  re fus ed to adjo urn fo r the su mmer. 
Under a provi s ion of the Co n st i t ut i on,one  chamber ca nnot go o ut w i th out the o theral s ol eaving.

House Repu bl ican l eader s wanted to a djourn, bu t a  coaliti on o f  D e mocrats and co nserv ative Repu b licans t eamed  togethe r to defe a t  that mo tio n T hur sda y . 
Democrats sai d they  w anted t o k eep the  ch amb erinse ssion inorder to  w or kon  jo bs bi l ls.

But ,rea li zin g tha t  no wo rk wa s go in gt o g et done an d figu ri ng  the y h ad  made  the i r p oint, D emocratsrel e nted  T ue sday.
“Republicansha ve made it  c lea r that t hey do n ot intend to come backt o town.  We  deci dednot to wa ste  taxpa yer moneyon pro  form ases s i ons w h e nRep ub licans hav e alr eadyma de t heir ch oice not to standu p f or the middle  cl ass, ” aDem o cr a tic  a i des a id.

With onlyone lawmak er ,  R ep. Mac Th o rnb er ry, Tex as Repu blica n , in th e chamber , the Hou se  pas s e d i ts motionto adjou rn and no t ified th e Sen ate . Unde ranearli er agr e eme nt, t hat me an t theSenat edidn’t e ven have to meet to rat ify th e mot ion .

The Se nat e  ha d been pr epar ed for a f ull  se ssion , t o  be h eldi na b i g roo m in the HartS en ate O ff ice Buildin g . 
Apolic e s c reenin g st ation, complete w i th a metal det ecto r ,  wa s s e t up  j ust in case an y m em b e rs of th epublic want ed to sh ow up —though  nonehad aso f  j u st min utes  be fore theses si o n.

The  S en a te has  met  o utside  its c h ambe r once since the C apito l was r e con struc te d after theWar of 181 2: last sum mer, w henan ea rthquak eforced  th eCapitol to be evacua ted j ust bef or e asim ilar p ro f o r ma se ssio n. 

I n that ca s e ,t he  S e nat e co nvene din a  nearby g o vernment  of f ice
 nothing_new for_a chamber that is_in the_midst_of its_second-worst_year on record_in the latest_version of The Washington_Times’ legislative futility_index.

Indeed,_the Senate’s daily calendar of business, printed for Tuesday’s session, ran to 80 pages_and_includes hundreds_of_bills_awaiting action.

But the chamber itself,_glimpsed through gaps in the_closed doors,_was barren Tuesday. All 100 senators’ desks have_been_removed, the carpeting_has been torn up and the wood exposed.

Staffers said_the flooring was being reinforced after_taking a beating_for_more_than 150 years by_the footfalls of legislative giants.

The repairs_will take the full five weeks_that the Senate is slated to be_away, and the work was scheduled_well in advance — which_is why_senators found themselves in a_bind after the_House refused_to adjourn for_the summer.

Under a provision of the_Constitution, one chamber_cannot go out without the other_also_leaving.

House Republican leaders_wanted_to_adjourn, but_a coalition of_Democrats_and conservative_Republicans_teamed together to defeat that motion_Thursday.

Democrats_said they wanted to keep the chamber_in session in order_to_work on jobs bills.

But,_realizing that no work was_going to get done and figuring_they had_made their_point, Democrats relented Tuesday.

“Republicans have made it clear that they do_not intend to come back to_town. We decided not_to waste_taxpayer_money on pro_forma_sessions when_Republicans have already made their choice not_to stand_up for the middle class,” a_Democratic aide said.

With only_one_lawmaker, Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas Republican,_in the chamber, the House passed_its motion to adjourn and_notified_the_Senate. Under an earlier agreement,_that meant the Senate didn’t even_have to meet_to ratify the motion.

The Senate had been_prepared_for a full session, to be_held_in a big room in the_Hart_Senate_Office Building.

A police screening station,_complete with a metal detector, was_set up just in case any members of the_public wanted to_show up — though none_had_as_of just minutes before the session.

The Senate has met outside_its chamber_once since the_Capitol was reconstructed after the War of 1812: last summer,_when an earthquake forced the Capitol to_be evacuated just before a similar pro forma session.

In that case,_the Senate convened in a nearby government office