Congressmen Clear Out of Washington

Like school kids who have finished final exams, members of Congress were clearing out of town today for their August recess after passing a $967.6-billion budget.

“We do look forward to this break,” said Rep. William Carney (R-N.Y.) hurrying down the Capitol steps Thursday night shortly after the House--followed swiftly by the Senate--adjourned for the break. “I think everybody is ready for a rest.”

Behind them were four grueling days and nights of legislative activity, including adoption of a budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. (Story on Page 9.)

Ahead is a break through Sept. 4 that will give the lawmakers vacation time, a chance to mend political fences back home and--in some cases--travel abroad on trips variously described as “fact-finding expeditions” or “junkets,” depending on who’s describing it.

Washington Muggy

Carney was leaving tonight on a House Armed Services Committee trip, with Morocco the first stop. He said he was glad he wouldn’t have to spend August in Washington, where the climate is hot and muggy.

According to the Air Force, Navy and Army, more than a dozen trips on military planes were being planned for the recess, but no details were provided and there is no rule requiring the government to list congressional trips taken at taxpayer expense.

One of the most prominent trips was announced today by Senate Minority Leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), who will lead a Senate delegation to the Soviet Union Aug. 27-Sept. 4 for a meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

Presidential Briefing

Byrd said he will deliver a letter from President Reagan and will brief the President on the meeting upon his return.

Also making the trip will be Sens. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), George J. Mitchell (D-Me.), Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.), Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) and John W. Warner (R-Va.).

Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) and other members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee he chairs are making a 27-day expedition to Europe--but they will be traveling by commercial flights. The Pentagon, saying it didn’t have enough planes to give one to the group, denied Dingell’s charge that he was being punished for exposing waste and fraud in Pentagon purchasing programs.

Long Tradition

The August recess is a longstanding congressional tradition, which was codified in a 1947 statute requiring the legislators to take a break of 30 days or more.