It looks like members of the U.S. House decided one Labor Day holiDAY wasn’t enough (or even a whole weekend) so they’re turning their September into something closer to Labor Weeks.

After enjoying their lengthy August recess, lawmakers returned to Washington this week, conducted a few days of business – and have headed right back out of town.

The House officially designated Sept. 3 through Sept. 13 as a “district work period.” That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll spot your representative hard at work around the district. But you might see them out and about – because district work periods give lawmakers time to campaign, shake hands and remind voters why they should send them back to Washington.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “Of course we’re in the middle of a critical midterm election. Many of them want and need to be in their districts working with their constituents and running their campaigns and so we’re trying to balance all those interests and needs right now.”

While most Americans mark Labor Day with a three-day weekend, House members are going for the extended edition. They may call it a “district work period,” but with campaigning officially part of the equation, Congress has found a creative way to celebrate Labor Day – by taking some of the labor out of September.