Members of Congress used the Thanksgiving break to trade committee rooms for kitchens, to count blessings and to reconnect with the people and causes that ground their service. Several lawmakers spoke about family, gratitude, long-running traditions, and the relief of leaving the chaos of Washington behind for a few days at home.
Rep. Erin Houchin put it plainly about her work: “And it’s a real blessing to be able to be here and serve,” reflecting a simple pride in public duty that many here still hold. That sentiment shows up across the aisle, but it resonates strongly with those who see service as a calling rather than a career move.
For some members the holiday offers a genuine escape from the Capitol’s nonstop churn. “I’m happy I’ll be in Massachusetts. I’m thankful for that … I’m going to be away from this, you know, s— show that’s been going on here over the last couple of weeks,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., capturing the relief many feel when they finally leave town.
McGovern also highlighted a personal tradition that ties him to his community: “I do a 43-mile walk every year for the food bank in Western Massachusetts. So Monday and Tuesday, I’ll be walking 43 miles.” He even joked, “So this may be the last time you see me,” using humor to underscore real commitment to local causes.
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington looked at Thanksgiving as a chance to return to daily family life after a decade in Congress. “I am thankful for 10 years of an awesome opportunity to serve my country and to leave a legacy of a better future for my children, and now to return to those children to be a man of my own house instead of the man in the people’s house,” he said, explaining why he plans to step away in 2026.
Rep. Tom Suozzi offered a reminder that gratitude is a habit as much as an emotion. “I’m always most thankful for the blessings that I’ve received, both for me personally and for my family. I’m just very grateful. It’s an important practice, I think, for everybody, just to always be thankful. Even when things are going bad, you’ve got to try and be thankful all the time. Gratitude is the attitude,” he said, urging a steady, day-to-day appreciation.
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer shared personal milestones that reshaped his holidays this year. “I’m thankful for a lot of things. I’ve got a wonderful new wife who I’ll be married to now for two and a half years,” Hoyer said. He also noted family growth with pride: “I’m very happy. I’m thankful for, we have 17 grandchildren, they’re all healthy, they’re all doing well.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and others kept things light when talking traditions. Luna admitted her ideal holiday unwind is “binge-watching ‘Harry Potter,’” a small, human detail that highlights how members of Congress are, at heart, neighbors with familiar pastimes. Hoyer added a classic line: “I’m a big turkey and gravy guy,” a simple pleasure that needs no politics.
Houchin recalled a quirky family contest that used to be a fixture in their celebrations: “My family and I — we don’t do it anymore — but have a popsicle stick ornament making contest. It was a good time.” Those small rituals matter because they anchor public figures in everyday life and give them something steady to come back to.
Food and football remain reliable parts of the holiday for many who serve. Arrington summed it up plainly: “Eat a lot of food and watch a lot of football,” pointing to the normal, comforting routines that help reset a tough year. Across party lines, Thanksgiving offers a chance to recharge and return to work with clearer focus and renewed ties to home.
