Senators take taxpayer-funded midday break to don protective eyewear and gaze at the solar eclipse engulfing the U.S. Capitol into near-darkness while joking about holding 'first and final' eclipse committee meeting

Time seemed to stop and the normal business of Capitol Hill slammed to a halt while lawmakers, aides and the press all peered into the sun.

The lawmakers  - usually divided by political affiliation - were, at least momentarily, drawn together by an event that humankind has revered for millenniums - a solar eclipse. 

As the moon rotated into position in front of the sun hundreds of people stood outside of the Capitol, many with mouths agape, enjoying the rare celestial show. 

Even though Congress has not been in session for the last two weeks - out on Easter and Passover recess - work, apparently, could wait a little longer. 

Legislative battles over foreign aid funding, an ongoing border security crisis and banning TikTok may have been important weeks ago, but seemingly they were not on Monday.

'We've got a crescent sun,' Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., told DailyMail.com as he stared at the sun. 'I've never seen the sun in this condition before.'

Two Democrat Senators stepped outside of the Capitol Monday to watch the solar eclipse

Light cloud cover in Washington, D.C. did not totally interfere with people's view of the solar eclipse Monday

He said the weather provided 'really great conditions' for the solar eclipse and that it appeared as 'a reverse of night.'

'First and final meeting of the Committee on the Eclipse,' Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., joked in a post on X accompanied by a photo featuring several lawmakers all donning protective glasses staring at the sun with their mouths wide-open. 

He was accompanied by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told DailyMail.com he saw a crescent moon barging in on the space usually occupied by the sun.

It was his first time ever seeing a solar eclipse. 

For many viewers at the Capitol Monday it was likely their first time watching a solar eclipse too.

There were audible 'oohs' and 'ahhs' as the moon entered totality - the brief moment when the lunar body is at its apex point blocking the bright sun.

Many started applauding as they gazed upwards, similar to the kind of clapping you'd hear after a long flight or the conclusion of a gripping movie.

Specialized glasses dotted the faces of the onlookers outside.

The flimsy paper frames filled with black film-like lenses were a dime a dozen, almost everyone had them. 

Inside, though, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., delivered remarks on the floor.

It may have been one of the least watched floor addresses ever given by the long-time Democrat leader as much of his normal audience was outside watching the eclipse.

But what the powerful leader was saying came secondary to staring into the sun, even after a two week break.

Nonetheless, after delivering remarks on the floor urging Speaker Mike Johnson to pass aid for Ukraine, Schumer was able to catch a glimpse of the eclipse from the balcony from his office. 

He, like many other Capitol Hill staffers, did not want to miss out on the fun because of his work obligations.

Sen. Manchin clapped as the moon moved into position in front of the sun Monday

Sen. Durbin looks into the sun to while watching the total solar eclipse outside of the Capitol

Senate pages wear eclipse glasses as they view the moon partially covering the sun during a total solar eclipse on Monday

Congressional aids stand on the Senate steps and pear into the sun to glimpse the eclipse 

Americans also took to the nearby National Mall to watch the rare event

The brief respite from business as usual was celebrated amongst the Capitol Hill crowd, with many mentioning how the infrequent experience was worth the equally brief break from work. 

As the moon and sun continued in their opposite paths the area began to get brighter and the must-see moment had come and passed. 

The crowd of Capitol Hill staffers lowered there heads, removed their paper glasses and began shuffling inside. 

The next time they will get a similar solar equinox break will be in 2044, much to their chagrin.