Lame duck shrinks Congress's break

A Christmas tree is lit near the Capitol Building. | AP Photo
Senators and aides believe that adjournment this year will be close to Christmas – again. | AP Photo Close
By JAKE SHERMAN & MANU RAJU | 11/24/10 4:28 PM EST

Once again, the Capitol could be in for a long winter.

Senate aides and senators believe that adjournment this year will be close to Christmas – again. And House Republicans are signaling that they’ll begin their legislating right after the Jan. 5 swearing-in of new members.

And with the House planning to come into session in early January, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) might feel pressure to bring the Democratic-led upper chamber back into session around the same time.

The result? A short vacation for Washington.

“Voters sent a clear message on Election Day that not only didn’t they approve of the policies being pursued by Democrats, but that they expect Congress to listen and shape up,â€