I've had a tough time learning how to act like a congressman. Today I accidentally spent some of my own money.
If becoming a member of Congress is like going to college, then crafting legislation is our homework.
One of my most rewarding congressional duties is nominating future military leaders to study at America's service academies. The exceptional young men and women who receive these coveted nominations earn a top-of-the-line education and the opportunity to serve their country as a military officer.
Most senators are just going to work and trying to do a job.
I can honestly say that being a United States Senator has been the honor of my life.
I'm focused, as you can tell, on 2014 and on doing my job as a senator.
I probably hold more town halls than any member of Congress.
Now I get a very nice salary as a member of Congress, but when I'm in Washington, I sleep in my office.
Serving in Congress is like having a second shot at high school.
Between floor votes, hearings and meetings, a typical week in Washington is about 70 hours. And back in the district, it's about 60 hours, a lot of which is spent with constituents.
Congress meets tomorrow morning. Let us all pray: Oh Lord, give us strength to bear that which is about to be inflicted upon us. Be merciful with them, oh Lord, for they know not what they're doing. Amen.
Congress can't take the year off, election or no election.
I didn't understand how much senators and members of the House are not able to represent the people because they're too busy fundraising to maintain their seat in office. I hope we as a country start looking at how we can change that.
It's really important for me to do the fundamentals of this job really, really well. And to let people know that I think the core responsibilities of a member of Congress aren't seeking the national headlines or being the spokesperson on this issue or that issue when you just get there.
Serving in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime.
With the dramatic increase in ease of transportation and the incredible decrease in the amount of time required to travel between far-flung areas of the United States, representatives began spending more and more time in Washington and less and less time in their home districts.
Members of Congress wear two hats: one as Washington legislator, the other as listener and community leader back home.
There is hardly a congressman prepared to go home until he has at least one speech printed and sent to his constituents, and he won't let anybody interrupt his harangue until he has made all his useful suggestions about the 24 states of the Union, and especially the district he represents.
One of the countless drawbacks of being in Congress is that I am compelled to receive impertinent letters from a jackass like you
I have been very happy in the House of Representatives.
Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results.
Each week, I will release a public schedule of how I am spending my time, and who I am meeting with in my Congressional office.
The member of Congress who forgets his constituents' needs usually serves only one term.
