House Democrats and Republicans have put aside their differences this year to honor the likes of golfer Phil Mickelson, the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson and the Penn State women's volleyball team.
But when it came time this week to memorialize the start of the 142nd season of the Saratoga race course in New York, one freshman lawmaker decided he'd had enough.
Every week the House spends a couple of days churning out such non-controversial bills. Beyond honoring sports achievements, they name post offices, praise armed service members, mourn distinguished people who've died and recognize historic anniversaries. This year the House has come together to support national pollinator week, national dairy month and national train day.
Chaffetz, in an interview, said he's got nothing against recognizing worthwhile causes such as breast cancer awareness, "but there are too many of them and they're just too frivolous." He said he drew the line at sports bills because athletes already get "more than their fair share of accolades."
Chaffetz gained attention earlier this year when he confronted President Barack Obama at a Republican retreat in Baltimore, accusing Obama of breaking promises to block lobbyists from administration jobs and get rid of special project spending.
He sees the resolutions as proof that Democrats are just filling time because of their inability to tackle the larger issues facing the nation.
Democrat Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, who voted against the race track bill, had a more benign interpretation, saying these minor bills are a way to get lawmakers to the House floor so they can talk with one another and their party leaders.
Still, he said, "They can get out of hand."
Chaffetz may have the proper sentiment about this, but he is still misguided!
Congress and the Nation would be much better off if they spent five days a week (they only work four at the most) voting for token resolutions, with no expenditures are included, rather than ruining the Country with Recovery Bills, TARP, Obamacare and Financial Institution Regulation.
The American people need to force Congress to repeal everything done in the last two years, turn of the air conditioning and not come back until there is new majority that won't be allowed to turn on the heat either!
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