It may feel like Congress never gets anything done but the reality is the opposite. I worked as a Senate intern for a short time and got to see first hand just how busy and hard Congressional staff work to keep this country running. While ridiculous partisan politics often halts the progress of high-profile lawmaking, the minutia and sheer volume of what Congress handles often goes unheralded.
So how does Congress keep everyone notified about who is needed for the floor and when? Before the digital age the Architect of the Capitol had a special system that kept more than just the time.
AB.CD.EFG
HI.JK.LMN
A = [Senate call of absentees]
B = [Recess in the House proceedings] + [Senate quorum call]
C = [Senate 7.5 minute countdown]
D = [Senate adjournment] - [Senate call to vote]
E = [Number of bell rings for when the House is in session]
F = [Senate done for the morning] + [House quorum call]
G = [Senate adjournment] + [Senate call to vote] + [House call to an electronically recorded vote]
H = [Recess in the House proceedings] + [Senate call to vote]
I = [Senate adjournment] + [House quorum call]
J = [Senate done for the morning] - [House recess]
K = [House adjournment] - [Senate adjournment]
L = [Senate recess during daily session] - [Senate call for absentees]
M = [House recess] - [Senate quorum call]
N = [Senate call to vote] + [House adjournment] + [Senate call of absentees]
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.