Behind the scenes in the Congress, a lot of work is getting done on some of the "must-pass" legislation which lawmakers must address before going home for the holidays. But when that's going to be finished is anyone's guess at this point.
And when you strip things down to the bare minimum, that's what people care about - when will they get to go on vacation for Christmas.
"I don't see how the math works for us to be done next week," said Rep. Stephen LaTourette (R-OH), who faced a group of reporters just off the House floor that wanted to know the possible vacation schedule for Congress.
"I'll be home for Christmas," LaTourette said with a mischievous smile.
When that would happen, he wouldn't say.
President Obama is planning to leave for Hawaii on December 17 - but like the last two years - that date seems likely to slip, as he again said yesterday that he will stay in Washington until the Congress gets its work done.
"We can do it the easy way or we can do it the hard way," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who like President Obama, also threatened to keep the Congress working through Christmas on a deal.
Everyone knows that is just the usual "talk" that Congressional big shots make around this time - but everyone also knows that Congress has been in session on Christmas Eve the last two years, and no one wants a repeat in 2011.
This morning House Republicans meet to discuss what they should do on the payroll tax cut extension, as the GOP is by no means united on the best course.
"We're continuing to talk to our members," Speaker Boehner told reporters last week.
Meanwhile, back behind the scenes, the House Appropriations Committee is struggling to finish eight unfinished spending bills for the current fiscal year.
Combine that with the payroll tax cut, jobless benefits extension and much more, and Republicans are trying to figure out what can pass the House in the next week.
"We're trying to get to 218 on everything," said Rep. LaTourette, noting the number for a bare majority in the House.
Clio, the Muse of Time, which sits in the old chamber of the House of Representatives in the Capitol, has probably seen this act before.
