2011 Senate 'Laziest' in Decades

2011 saw least-productive session since 1992
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 16, 2012 3:05 PM CDT
2011 Senate 'Laziest' in Decades
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).   (Getty Images)

The 2011 Senate produced less legislation than any other since 1992, according to a report by the chamber's own secretary. Throughout its 170 days, the Senate was in session an average of just 6.5 hours per day; only 2008's Senate had a lower figure, with three members running for president. The 2011 Senate also confirmed just 19,815 nominations, the fewest in 20 years, and passed a total of only 402 measures, the second-fewest since 1992. The data is particularly embarrassing because 2011 wasn't an election year, when productivity typically falls, the Washington Examiner reports. (More Senate stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X