I find this appalling...
We have all learned to expect very little from the Legislative branch of our US Government, and we have all seen disappointing, shocking and disastrous behavior from our lawmakers during the past few years, but this takes the cake...
Monday, January 08, 2007
Pigskin delays Democrats' '100 hours'
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite the Democratic House leadership's pledge to work five days a week, the new leaders opted to take the first day of the first full week of the 110th Congress off so that lawmakers could attend a college football game.
Two Democratic leadership sources tell CNN that the House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, approached House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, and requested that Hoyer refrain from scheduling votes on Monday so that he and other lawmakers could attend the NCAA football championship game in Glendale, AZ. Boehner's home state team, Ohio State, is playing the University of Florida.
One Democratic leadership aide said "Boehner asked for no votes so we accommodated him."
Kevin Smith, spokesman for Minority Leader Boehner confirmed Rep. Boehner would be attending the NCAA championship game, "He will be in Arizona rooting on his home-state Buckeyes, and back to work on Tuesday." Smith confirms Boehner is paying his own way for travel and tickets.
But it is not just Republican lawmakers who will be in Glendale Monday night. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, D-Ohio, will also attend the game. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Florida, whose Gainesville district includes the University of Florida, will be in Arizona cheering on the Gators. Rep. Dave Hobson, R-Ohio, Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, and Rep Paul Gillmor, R- Ohio, are also traveling to Glendale to cheer on the Buckeyes.
-- CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh
I don't know which is worse; a Congress hellbent on passing bad legislation or a Congress that considers a football game its top priority.