Brazil Congress Reduces Sessions Ahead of 2026 Recess

Brazil’s National Congress began its mid‑year parliamentary recess on July 17, operating only with administrative staff and halting legislative activity. In the first half of 2026 the two houses held 98 deliberative sessions, 23 fewer than the 121 sessions recorded in the same period of 2022, a drop of about 19%. The Senate’s meetings fell from 49 to 36 (‑26.5%) and the Chamber’s from 62 to 50 (‑13.9%).

Senate President Davi Alcolumbre and Chamber leader Hugo Motta announced a special agreement to concentrate work into two intensive weeks – August 10‑14 and August 31‑September 3 – to increase productivity before the electoral campaign intensifies. Lawmakers are focusing on upcoming party conventions (deadline August 5) and the start of the campaign on August 16, with proposals such as PEC 221/2019 to end the 6‑day workweek and other security legislation under discussion.