Reps. Poe, Jackson Lee love to talk and talk and …

There are plenty of jokes about how much members of Congress like to hear themselves talk. But according to a new C-SPAN search engine, a few lawmakers significantly outpaced their colleagues in the 111th Congress when it came to yapping on the House floor.

Not surprisingly, Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) takes first prize, having addressed his colleagues (or, oftentimes, an empty House chamber) on 234 of the 317 days the House was in session during the last Congress, or 73 percent of working legislative days. 

Poe is best known for wrapping up his floor speeches with, “And that’s just the way it is.” 

Coming in second place is Poe’s Texas colleague, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D), who addressed the House 180 times during the last Congress, according to C-SPAN. 

In all fairness, Jackson Lee has a lot to talk about: At last count, she belongs to approximately 55 unique caucuses and task forces, ranging from the Congressional Songwriters Caucus to the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. 

One interesting note: Republicans made up 80 percent of the top 10 talkers in the House during the 111th Congress. Perhaps Democrats will be more vocal now that they’re in the minority.

Over on the Senate side, the pontificating stats are more predictable: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) came in at No. 1, with appearances on the Senate floor 312 of the 318 total days the upper chamber was in session, while Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) came in second, taking to the podium on 266 days of the 111th Congress.

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