Congressmen At Home In Their Offices

By Marcus Gilmer in Miscellaneous on May 13, 2010 9:30PM

Today the Tribune ran a feature on several of our local congressmen and their efforts to save money (and maintain a certain image) by sleeping in their D.C. offices while Congress is in session. And who can blame them? If we, like Rep. Mike Quigley, had two daughters in college, we'd look for any way to save cash, too. Quigley also says it's a symbolic gesture for his constituents: "I like to think that this reinforces the point that I live in the district, that I spend most of my time in the district, and I'm trying to be in solid contact with my constituents."

On a night last week, Quigley shed his power suit and slapped a sign on the door to Room 1319 in the Longworth Building, giving fair warning to third-shift cleaning crews. "Member sleeping," it announces. "Miembro durmiente."

By morning, he would stash the mattress into a private hallway and the sheets and pillow in a metal filing cabinet. Quigley and others in what some call "In-Office Caucus" said they survive by showering in the House gym, schlepping dirty laundry home and grinning and bearing what can be a fitful night.

"This is a loud town. The torture of getting up every two hours is tough," Quigley said.

Just as long as the uncomfortable office couch doesn't keep them up and they don't fall asleep in any intelligence hearings or skipping votes to nap under their desk like another well-known office sleeper.