WASHINGTON – Members of Congress fled Washington, D.C. last week for the start of the August recess, which is typically used for district work. The Democrats are spending their first week outside the Beltway in Boston for the Democratic National Convention, where representatives of the credit union movement are taking every opportunity to build new and stronger relationships with lawmakers. From Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, the Republicans will be heading to New York City for their own rally at the end of the recess. Officials from the credit union community plan to attend the Republican National Convention as well. Congress will return to Washington after Labor Day on Sept. 7 and work until adjournment, which is targeted for Oct. 1. Within that period credit unions are hoping the lawmakers will deal with a number of issues, including regulatory relief or possibly bankruptcy reform. However, controversial subjects, like bankruptcy reform, will likely have to wait until after Election Day, Nov. 2. Republicans are likely to maintain control of the House. The current split is 228 Republicans, 206 Democrats, and one independent. The Senate is more up in the air and political pundits have said it could go either way. It currently has 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and one independent. The race for the White House has also been termed too close to call. Both candidates, President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry, have expressed support for the credit union tax exemption.