While disapproving of a congressional calendar that keeps lawmakers away from work two thirds of the year, congressional experts argue that that is merely a symptom of the larger problem of partisan gridlock and the inability of Republicans and Democrats to agree on any major issues or tactics. “If Congress really wanted to assert itself, they'd do it,” said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist. “Planes, trains, and automobiles work better than ever. It has nothing to do with their schedule, and everything to do with the deep polarization that divide...