WASHINGTON — The Nation’s Capitol is quiet once again. Lawmakers have headed back home for Thanksgiving, and they told Spectrum News what they’re most looking forward to.
“You have a good Thanksgiving dinner if you have cranberries. I'm a big fan of cranberries because, you know, it's great to have the meat and the stuffing and the potatoes and corn and everything else, but nothing adds a unique extra flavor like cranberries do. So, that's something I look forward to every year,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison.
Pocan lauded Wisconsin’s cranberry industry, the state produces the most of any in the U.S.
The newest member of the delegation, Tony Wied, R-Green Bay, looks forward to being with his family.
“We always do it with family,” Wied said. “We rotate, but typically we go to my brother's house, which is always a great tradition. And you know, just having pecan pie is my favorite tradition.”
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, said being with his family also brings him great joy.
“I just really like sitting quietly and listening to my kids and grandkids with my wife, and just listen to them having a nice time,” Van Orden said.
Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, has marked his calendar for football, the Detroit Lions versus the Chicago Bears.
“I've been watching the Detroit Lions every Thanksgiving beginning at noon Eastern time since 1964,” he said. “And I don't watch the NFL otherwise, but man, the Lions at noon on Thanksgiving. What a great American tradition.”
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, also cherishes football on Thanksgiving, but he’s the one on the field.
“Sometimes you put together like a quick football game sometime in the afternoon,” he said. “And I think my family's done that for years and will continue to do that.”
And this Thanksgiving, Congressman Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, will have an eye on the next holiday around the corner, Christmas. He plans to cut down a tree from his own property after years of using an artificial tree.
“I'm really looking forward to it, and I got signed off from my wife on it, so it's all set to go,” Tiffany said.
Lawmakers will return to Washington the first week of December, but for now, they’re home in Wisconsin.