A de facto pro forma: Why Washington fixated these sessions as the DHS shutdown dragged on through recess

Carpe diem. If you’ve wondered why all of Washington buzzed so much this week about "pro forma" sessions in the House and Senate, here’s your chance to find out why.

Come on now. Tempus fugit. There’s no time like the present. Hopefully, when you finish reading this, you can declare veni, vidi, vici when it comes to your understanding of pro forma sessions in the House and Senate.

Let’s start with what pro forma means and why it holds application in Congress.

SEN. MIKE LEE URGES...