Senate Democrats believe that the decision by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to cancel the August recess will not have an impact on the 2018 elections despite it being an overtly political decision intended to sideline them from the campaign trail for up to three weeks.
Democrats are defending 26 Senate seats in November, compared to only nine for their Republican counterparts, giving McConnell leverage and a reason to keep Democrats in town. While he could strike a deal on a nominations package as the two sides did last year, McConnell plans on seeing this through and keeping a group of embattled Democrats in Washington.
“Whatever it is, it is what it is, and we need to get things done,” said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., a top target of Republicans in the fall. “It’s too bad this is a raw political move on the part of Sen. Mitch McConnell, because he thinks that gives him an advantage.”
“That won’t work in my race.” he said, adding that he believes the time in session will ultimately be cut to two weeks.
The only chances for senators to campaign will be the first week of August, which is slated to be a state work week, before three weeks back in Washington through Labor Day. Nelson, who is facing Florida Gov. Rick Scott in November, holds one of six seats the Republicans are actively targeting in November.
Meanwhile, only one sitting Senate Republican is considered a top target of Democrats in the fall — Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., who signed a letter with 16 other Senate Republicans calling for McConnell to cancel the recess.
Some Democrats say they are excited about the prospect of staying in Washington during those three weeks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters that McConnell’s announcement was “welcome” news and that Senate Democrats will make healthcare their big issue during those months, which has been a political winner for them over the past year and a half.
“I think it’s great. I’m happy to stay here. Hard work is my best friend,” said Sen. Claire McCaskill, R-Mo. “I just hope that this is not posturing. I hope Sen. McConnell is serious about the No. 1 issue in my state, which is doing something about healthcare costs.”
“I’m not worried about that,” McCaskill said when asked if she’s concerned about losing those three weeks on the campaign trail. “Nope. Not worried about that.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was enthusiastic about the announcement, and even went so far as asking if the House was going to be staying in session along with the Senate. Like McCaskill, he added that he isn’t worried about missing campaign time back home.
“I think it’s great. I hope we start working on Mondays and Fridays too … Wouldn’t that be great?” Manchin said. “Let’s get our work done. I hope the House stays in with us so we can all work together … I always thought you had a work week [of] Monday-Friday. I never did get a full week vacation so I didn’t understand any of this stuff here. Never did make sense to me.”
“No no no no,” Manchin said. “I think if I’m doing my job, I’m campaigning.”
With members back in August, the move would allow Trump to campaign heavily for Republican challengers across the country. While House Republicans facing tough re-election battles have largely shied away from Trump, Senate candidates in red states where he is more popular are staying close to the president.
In recent weeks, Trump has campaigned in Tennessee for Rep. Marsha Blackburn and in Indiana for Mike Braun. The White House, however, says there is no plan at the moment to release Trump on those states with battleground Senate races while sitting members continue to work in Washington.
“I don’t know that there’s a concerted plan to say, ‘Hey, let’s do this in concert,'” said Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs. “But I think the president looks forward to being on the road this summer.”
