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Democratic senators are starting to say the August recess, or at least part of it, should be in peril as the party falls further behind on its legislative agenda.

Bipartisan infrastructure talks have bogged down, and Senate Democrats have only just started work on a reconciliation package, which they hope to use to pass legislative priorities that dont have Republican support.

Negotiations on police reform, one of the few areas where senators feel more confident about a potential deal, have slowed down. And theres no progress to report on immigration reform or gun violence legislation. A GOP filibuster on Tuesday prevented the Democratic voting rights bill from even getting a debate on the Senate floor.

Senators are scheduled to leave town for a two-week recess starting Friday. After that, the Senate will be in session for four weeks, until Aug. 6, when it is scheduled to take another long recess until Sept. 13.

A growing number of progressives say Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerThe Innovation and Competition Act is progressive policy Infrastructure deal: Major climate win that tees up more in reconciliation bill Democrats seek to calm nervous left MORE (D-N.Y.) needs to think about revising the schedule, arguing the historic opportunity to pass a big, bold infrastructure bill is fast disappearing.

Im in favor of working right through the August recess, said Sen. Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenSenators call on Biden to sanction Beijing over closure of Hong Kong's Apple Daily Democrats hear calls to nix recess Warren stalls confirmation of Biden pick in push for student loan reforms MORE (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee.

My view is we need to keep at it. Ive been a strong proponent of really working to get the caucus fully focused on working as fast as possible, he said of the slow-moving infrastructure negotiations.

Sen. Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleyOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden announces bipartisan infrastructure deal | DOJ backs Trump-era approval of Line 3 permit |Biden hits China on solar panels Bipartisan agriculture climate bill clears Senate Democrats hear calls to nix recess MORE (D-Ore.), who saw his voting rights bill, the For the People Act, get blocked by Republicans, said hes also willing to stay in town during August, when lawmakers traditionally escape the towns hot, humid weather for other locations.

Im very supportive of accelerating the momentum to counter the delay-and-obstruct tactics of Republicans, Merkley said. We need to use every day we can possibly use this year.

Killing the entire August recess is very unlikely, and senior members of the Senate Democratic leadership dont seem all that enthusiastic about canceling part of the recess either.

When asked about calls by colleagues to work through August, Senate Majority Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinPhotos of the Week: Infrastructure, Britney Spears and Sen. Tillis's dog Democrats hit wall on voting rights push Democrats hear calls to nix recess MORE (D-Ill.) quipped, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland?? Who else?

His implication: Its relatively easy for a senator from a nearby state to call for cutting a recess, which is intended to give lawmakers from far-away states more time to meet with constituents and hold town hall meetings.

Its because of this valuable face-to-face time with constituents that senators officially call the recess the state work period.

Asked last week about Sen. Ed MarkeyEd MarkeySenate plants a seed for bipartisan climate solutions OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden announces bipartisan infrastructure deal | DOJ backs Trump-era approval of Line 3 permit |Biden hits China on solar panels Bipartisan agriculture climate bill clears Senate MOREs (D-Mass.) call for cutting the recess, Durbin jokingly shot back: Will you tell Markey to get a life?

Still, Democratic leaders acknowledge pressure is building.

Merkley wants to keep forcing Republicans to consider the voters rights and election reform proposals, and he predicts additional battles.

He says election reforms need to pass before the end of the summer to give state election administrators time to implement legislation.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said hes frustrated with the glacial pace of the infrastructure negotiations and urged colleagues to consider working more in August to give themselves a shot to pass the reconciliation package before Labor Day.

Im running out of patience and the Senate is running out of time, so working for at least part of the August recess ought to be on the table, he said.

This infrastructure package is an historic opportunity that we need to do in August if we cant get it done in July, he said. It has to be done before September or at least have agreement on the basic outlines, even if some of the technical details need to be resolved.

Blumenthal said too much time has been spent waiting for various bipartisan groups of senators to reach a breakthrough on a scaled-down infrastructure package.

We cant go on with this group of eight, group of 20, no pay-fors right now we have this very amorphous and ambiguous idea that a bipartisan package would be a good thing, he added.

Merkley, Van Hollen and Markey, along with Sens. Alex PadillaAlex PadillaDemocrats hear calls to nix recess Schumer vows to only pass infrastructure package that is 'a strong, bold climate bill' Democratic divisions threaten Biden's voting push MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenHeadaches mount for Biden in spending fight Senate plants a seed for bipartisan climate solutions White House adviser to MSNBC host: Biden deal 'wasn't a photo op' MORE (D-Mass.), Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandDemocrats hear calls to nix recess Overnight Defense: Joint Chiefs chairman clashes with GOP on critical race theory | House bill introduced to overhaul military justice system as sexual assault reform builds momentum House lawmakers introduce bill to overhaul military justice system MORE (D-N.Y.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersPolitical campaigns worry they're next for ransomware hits Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight How Biden can reframe and reclaim patriotism, faith, freedom, and equality MORE (I-Vt.) have pressed Schumer and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPhotos of the Week: Infrastructure, Britney Spears and Sen. Tillis's dog Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight Wallace has contentious interview with GOP lawmaker: Aren't you the ones defunding the police? MORE (D-Calif.) to get a big, bold infrastructure investment package to Bidens desk before the end of summer.

In May, the senators wrote a letter to their leadership urging them to work with committee chairs to develop a rapid legislative timeline to enact an ambitious and comprehensive proposal before the August recess.

They argued that getting major infrastructure legislation passed by the end of July or early August would allow them to use the legislative recess to engage with our constituents in our districts to celebrate, highlight and guide community members through the concrete measures Congress has enacted.

Durbin on Wednesday acknowledged that unfinished business is piling up.

I dont know if well have to stay. I hope we dont, but weve got to get our work done, he said. Theres a lot to do and the Senate is a slow-moving vehicle, on a good day.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairwoman Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurraySenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate Democrats introduce equal pay legislation for US national team athletes Democrats hear calls to nix recess MORE (D-Wash.), who is working on the reconciliation package, said Democrats have a full plate.

Asked about calls from colleagues to cancel or cut short the recess, Murray said, I havent thought about it.

I think everybody is really pushing to get reconciliation done, and thats our goal, she said. Well get done what we can get done.

Jordain Carney contributed.

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