View From the Capitol—PICTURES

An empy hallway in the Russell Senate Office Building on Aug. 9 shows just how deserted the Hill can be duing the August recess. (Michael Catalini)

Democratic Reps. Steve Israel (center), Nita Lowey (left), Eliot Engel (right) and Republican Rep. Richard Hanna held a minute of silence at the House Triangle on July 26 for the 11 Israeli athletes who were killed during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The flag on the east side of the Capitol building flew at half staff on July 23 to commemorate the victims of the Aurora, Colo., shooting. On Friday, President Obama called for flags on government buildings to be flown at half staff as a tribute to the victims of the fatal shooting. (Shante Hayes)

Hundreds of Falun Gong followers meditated on the West Lawn on July 12. Their presence marked the start of a day-long protest featuring speakers, a march and a candlelight vigil, calling attention to the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. (Elahe Izadi)

House Speaker John Boehner and other congressional leaders took a break from debating health care repeal to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Constantino Brumidi, known for his painting in the Capitol dome, on July 11. (Chet Susslin)

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, presents William McDowell, representative of the Montford Point Marines, USMC, with the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, during a ceremony on Capitol Hill. Montford Point Marines were the first African-Americans to serve in the Marine Corps. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

June 22 was quiet around the Capitol. Adding to the lull was Dusty the Clown, who sat on a park bench near the building. Asked how long he would be there, he just shook his head and silently held a sign that read: "Dusty the Clown ... (I really am unemployed!)" He then proceeded to make a balloon animal for a reporter. It was a purple poodle. (Shante Hayes)