School's almost out for the summer … oops, I mean Congress. The House will recess at the end of this week for a six-week summer vacation. The Senate will follow suit at the end of next week. 

Although the details have not been announced, the White House Press Office revealed President Barack Obama, the first lady and their two children will spend the second weekend of August on the Florida Gulf Coast … Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre continues to struggle in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

While he is not running in 2010, U.S. Sen. George LeMieux is already the subject of whispers that he will run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 -- and history may not be against him as much as it is other politicians appointed to the Senate and looking to win elections.

LEMIEUX LOSES MOST-JUNIOR STATUS
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin’s appointment Friday of Carte Goodwin, his former general counsel, to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, pushes Florida Sen. George LeMieux off the perch as the chamber’s youngest member. Goodwin is 36; LeMieux, 41.

Even though the 2010 elections are still being waged, speculation has already begun about which Republicans will look to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. The venerable national opinion journal The New Republic ran a piece on energy bills in the Senate and offered an aside building up current U.S. Sen. George LeMieux possibly taking on Nelson. With his recent letter to Nelson on national issues, buzz is building that incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, could also be looking at running for the U.S. Senate come 2012 ...

GAETZ COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT SPILL LEGISLATION
A Senate committee will consider tax relief for property owners affected by the oil spill later this month, along with other possible legislative changes reacting to the crisis.

Congress found itself mostly tied up in knots this week, as both the Senate and the House chambers tried to find votes for passage of bills that have huge price tags, and have no offsets or spending cuts to pay the cost of the bills.