This morning, Representative Jason Chaffetz was featured on Fox and Friends . The title of the story was "Congressman Boycotting House Resolutions.....'they are a waste of time and money' ". Congressman Chaffetz stated that honoring sports teams on the floor of the house takes up valuable time on the floor of the house. He stated that on average it takes 20 minutes to debate and pass a resolution to honor sport teams.
Several teams named that had recently been recognized were the University of Texas Diving team, Phil Mickelson, and the University of Maryland.....before the March Madness tournament began. (This latter team was eliminated in the 2nd round.) He commented on the University of Maryland's recognition was "just a favor factory" and that they were not due this time or honor.
When asked if there was a better way to honor teams, he stated "Put it on your letterhead, go down to the shop there.........frame it .....and give it to the Mayor."
(Before we get to the point of the interview, let it be know that Congressman Chaffetz does not begrudge organized sports. He played for Brigham Young University, his father owned a semi-professional team, and he personally came to my house to recruit my son to play for his soccer team).
His objection was stated as follows: "To take so much time in the House of Representatives when we have real issues out there like what's going on in the gulf, the economy, the debt....and "Don't Ask Don't Tell. We get 300 seconds, it wasn't even debated in the committee....we get 300 seconds on a big issue like that and yet we take 20 minutes on these sports resolutions".
He also said "I don't think these people (sports figures/teams) even care, and yet that is what we are spending all our time and resources doing". Thus, he votes "Present in Protest" when these resolutions are brought to the floor.
It is issues like this that hopefully prompt us to be vocal and active in the election cycle to refocus our elected leadership on the important topics of the day, not the "favor factory" Congressman Chaffetz referred to.
Plan to support your candidate of choice, plan to be active, and plan to help get out the vote!
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