WASHINGTON — The Capitol christmas tree is lit, a gingerbread replica of The People’s House is twinkling and the hallways are quiet.
Lawmakers have returned home, hopefully savoring their favorite holiday traditions. The newest member of the delegation, Rep. Tony Wied, R-Green Bay, said his is cutting down a tree with his four boys.
“When they were real little, they didn't do a whole lot, and I would have to cut the whole tree,” Wied said. “But then, as it progressed, eventually, I didn't have to do anything. And now, I literally don't have to do anything physical. I just watch my four sons take the tree and get it all set up and bring it in. So, that's one of my favorite memories.”
Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, said he enjoys singing Christmas carols with family, especially “Joy to the World.”
“Do you want to give us a verse?” I asked him on a recent evening on Capitol Hill.
“No, I have a bad voice,” he said. “I sing. I do sing, but I sing alone in the car where nobody can hear.”
Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said he likes the snow for about a week, from Christmas to New Years.
“I think just having that part of the holidays, it really does feel like Christmas,” Pocan said. “It's not like you're in shorts and going to the beach. Instead, you're out there making a snowman, throwing a snowball.”
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, said Christmas Eve church services remind her of the hope of the season.
“I have great grandchildren, and they're little, and there's nothing I think that gives you more hope and more joy in the world to see the youngest of our Americans grow and thrive and their eyes get big at the most modest thing,” Moore said. “My daughter's birthday is January 1, so I enjoy all of it. You know, it's always a good excuse to eat.”
Lawmakers will not have much time to savor the holidays. They must be back in Washington by Friday, Jan. 3 for the start of the new session of Congress.