OutaTime: Cars on the Mall

1980s movies fans have a reason to head to the National Mall in the next few days. A company that specializes in insuring collectible cars is showcasing four cars from the National Historic Vehicle Register. 

The first car to be displayed is the 1981 De Lorean DC-12, more popularly known as just Delorean. The car was a commercial and economic failure, but lives on in popular culture due to its starring role in 1985's Back to the Future and its two sequel films. 

If you'd like to see the Delorean specifically, you have until September 9 (Thursday). The display will move on to three other cars in the coming weeks: the 1970 Dodge "Qualls" Challenger, a 1921 Straight Eight "Castle Duesenberg," and the 1979 Lamborghini Countach from Cannonball Run.

I'm not a huge car person, but I am a huge 80s person, so seeing this weird and unexpected display on the Mall was a fun surprise. The display is located on the National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets NW (and b/t the National Gallery of Art and National Air and Space Museum. 

More photos on Patreon.

Finally…

For the first time since October of last year, the general public can roam the balance of the Capitol grounds freely. Most of the fences were removed this weekend. The upper platform closest to the west front steps are still closed, but 95% of the grounds that were open before the 2020 election are open as of today.

Fewest Laws Passed in a Generation

This Congress, the 116th, will have presided over the fewest new laws of any Congress in a generation. With legislative activity nearly concluded for the year, and therefore for this Congressional session, just 226 bills, or 1.36% of the 16,557 bills introduced, eventually became enacted law.

That 1.36% and 226 bills total is the lowest percentage and lowest total number of introduced bills to become law since the 93rd Congress (1974, the oldest data set available on GovTrack). However, GovTrack notes that the total number of words in all bills passed has remained consistent, suggesting that there are less bills passed, but they tend to be much larger (longer) now than, say, 50 years ago.

As of this writing the President has not signed H.R. 133 (aka Coronavirus Stimulus Act) into law although he is expected to do so soon. That would bring the total bills passed to 227, still the fewest in a generation.

Since the 93rd Congress (January 1973 - December 1974), the most prolific Congressional sessions were:

95th [Jan 4, 1977 -Oct 15, 1978] with 804 bills becoming law, 3.6% of the 22,313 introduced.

100th [Jan 6, 1987 -Oct 22, 1988] with 761 bills becoming law, 6.7% of just 11,278 introduced.

101st [Jan 3, 1989 -Oct 28, 1990] with 665 bills becoming law, 5.6 % of 11, 787 bills introduced.

Source:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/statistics 

Photos: Signs of Inauguration

Inauguration preparation and construction has begun at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Much of Capitol Hill is being fenced off due to Inauguration preparation.

Presidential stand and audience seating being constructed on the west front of the U.S. Capitol building.

Each year the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is sourced from a different U.S. National Forest.

The 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree hails from Colorado, specifically the The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.

To support our work (and for more images) visit Patreon.com/attucksadams.

5 Outdoor Spaces to Socially Distance Right Now [Patreon Preview]

Am I making lists now?

I’m making lists now.

Here are my Top 5 outdoor places to enjoy the summer AND easily social distance from others.

1. United States Capitol Grounds

There are about 60 acres of open grounds surrounding the Capitol Building. Most of this land is open grass with light landscaping and heritage trees. Some areas, especially on the east front, are paved but open and pedestrian friendly. Benches are few and far between, but retaining walls can be used for sitting, and there are large expanses of grassy ares kept at a low height conducive for sitting or laying down on (bring a blanket!). On the east front, stake out a spot under a tree and chill out. On the west front, stop in the Summer House for a cooling off break. Open daily!

See the rest of this list on Patreon! You can support my work and get weekly DC history and culture posts through memberships starting at $3 per month.