Boehner blasts House for lax work schedule amidst recession

Congress has been wasting its time with meaningless resolutions instead of working to fix the economy, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) charged Tuesday.

Boehner chided Democratic colleagues for taking up a resolution honoring the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, suggesting it was "unacceptable" for the Congress to spend time on similar measures Tuesday while the economy continues to struggle.

"While Democrats get ready to celebrate the birth of an ancient Chinese philosopher, House Republicans will talk about our better solutions to create jobs and make health care more affordable and accessible for America's seniors," Boehner said in a statement.

"It is unacceptable for Congress to take it easy at a time when the nation’s unemployment rate is nearing 10 percent and millions of out-of-work families struggling to make ends meet are asking, ‘where are the jobs?’” the House GOP leader added.

In a release, the Ohio Republican's office echoed language from a Fox News story accusing Congress of "playing hooky" during its work week by frequently taking off Fridays from work despite Democrats' pledges during the 2006 midterm elections to maintain a fuller work week.

The House will vote on four non-controversial "suspension" bills on Tuesday, including the Confucius resolution (H.Res. 784). The other three are H.Res. 838 (welcoming Archbishop of Constantinople Bartholomew to the U.S.), H.Res. 831 (supporting the ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month), and S.Con.Res. 45 (a resolution encouraging Iran to release the U.S. hikers detained on the Iranian border in late July).