After Protesting Congress’ Recess, Stearns Asks Pelosi To Reschedule Votes So He Can Attend Football Game
After Protesting Congress’ Recess, Stearns Asks Pelosi To Reschedule Votes So He Can Attend Football Game
In August, Congressional Republicans staged a series of political stunts on the floor of the House of Representatives to express their displeasure with the House Democrats going into summer recess “without voting on whether to end the 26-year ban on [oil] drilling along the US coastline” (The House subsequently let the ban expire). Among the House Republicans who participated in the days-long protest was Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL).
At the time, Stearns issued a press release urging that members cut short their summer break to do “the people’s business” and support offshore oil drilling. The release headlined:
STEARNS CALLS ON HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO INTERUPT [sic] MEMBERS’ FIVE-WEEK BREAK TO VOTE ON ENERGY LEGISLATION
STAYS IN WASHINGTON ADVOCATING ACTION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY, ALTERNATIVE FUELS, AND MORE DOMESTIC OIL & GAS PRODUCTION
Now, however, Stearns’s dedication to “the people’s business” seems to be flagging. Yesterday, in a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Stearns requested that the House reschedule its Thursday and Friday votes so that he can attend the BCS National Championship Game between that University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma. Stearns wrote:
As you may be aware, on Thursday January 8, the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma will play for the national football championship. Members of the Florida and Oklahoma delegations have expressed interest in attending the game as the congressional schedule allows. However, votes are currently scheduled to continue into Thursday night and Friday afternoon. We ask that you move these votes to either Wednesday and/or Thursday morning to allow Members to attend this historic game.
The AP notes that while Stearns appeared to be speaking for both the Florida and Oklahoma delegations, he was the sole signatory of the letter. The Speaker’s office “said she would not agree to the request.” They will proceed, as scheduled, with voting to certify the “Electoral College vote that gives Barack Obama the presidency,” among other things.
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Don’t even think about backing down, Pelosi.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pmThis one is a no-brainer.
Stupidest man in Congress?
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January 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pmPerhaps Mr. Stearns and his fellow goal posts should just skip the vote, go to the game.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:05 pmAnd his hypocrisy is surprising how?
January 7th, 2009 at 12:05 pmFYI… Rep. Stearns…
January 7th, 2009 at 12:10 pmhttp://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400388
Hey, at least he asked for a reschedule first rather than just skipping the votes. Doesn’t hurt to ask.
Of course, the next time he wants to publicly posture and grandstand over the Congressional schedule, Pelosi’s got this letter in her pocket to shut him the hell up.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pmGentlemen, the affairs of state, must take precedence over the, ahem, affairs of state, right boys?
January 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pmAfter all, they’ve got their phony baloney jobs to protect!
Oh, and he’s gonna be really bummed if Oklahomeys whup ass on his alligators.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pmIf Stearns can’t attend the game due to work….tough shit.
When I was in the service, I missed not only football games, but weddings, funerals, graduations, and many other things.
Suck it up Stearns. Don’t be such a pussy.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pmDo any of these Republican have any connection to reality? What would it take to give them a dose of reality? How about instead of asking to delay the peoples’ business to attend a football game, they are required to do something like reside in a homeless shelter for a month during their break? Then again, with these clowns the more votes they miss the more likely it will be there will be less obstruction to actually getting things done.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pmUntil I read this post, I didn’t care one way or the other who won the BCS “Championship”. Now I hope Oklahoma wins big.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:17 pmUncle Ho,
You are absolutely right. When I was serving in the Air Force, I missed my step-sister’s wedding.
Those who wish to serve the public must be prepared to make many personal sacrifices, otherwise they are just serving themselves.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pmPelosi should send back the following response:
Stearns, either be here for the people’s work or report to the DC JAIL…your choice.
These theatrical jackasses need to quickly understand – they ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING!!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pmWayne, the sacrifices that I made was due to the fact that I was for all practical purposes…drafted. I was 1-A with a draft #64, if memory serves, so I opted for the Navy. Went to the marines and Nam anyhow. So much for my college scholarship.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pmI’d tell him to kiss my ass.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:24 pmHe’s perfectly free to skip the votes and go anyways. If showing up to the football game plays well politically in his district, then it doesn’t even hurt him. That’s totally spinnable, since most folks in his district are probably fans. I don’t see a problem with him just taking off.
However, the entire Congress of the United States of America is not going to shut down to wait for him to come back from his trip home.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pmRepublicans are lazy a-holes. Their priorities are laughable.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:32 pmI’m surprised he didn’t ask the BCS committee to reschedule the game.
I would also like to know who paid for his tickets, and what was given in return.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pmIt’s only a “historic game” because it’s the only BCS football championship game being played in January 2009; other than that, it’ll be just like all the rest of them — a 4-hour advertising extravaganza occasionally interrupted by a few minutes of slightly above-average sport, all put together by a college football system that’s completely broken…
January 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pmYeah right. All he wants to do is party in the luxury box of some big corporate campaign donor. Wine ‘n dine, party, etc in exchange for a few favors when voting on the floor. Historic game my a$$. Ask Stearns in a year and he won’t even remember the score.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pmNo time for the People’s Business but all the Law Makers got that big raise in their salary without blinking an eye. The football game can be taped but when you don’t have to show up for work but still get paid why not. I guess the people of Florida aren’t in a recession and doing ok as Rep. Stearns has more important things to do then vote.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:51 pmIf only FedEx would concentrate on getting packages delivered on time and to the correct location, instead of wasting money on ritual combat.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pmLet’s see — Public Law 110-430, which established the dates upon which electors cast their ballots for President and Vice-President, and the joint Congress would count those votes, was passed last October. Did Stearns raise a stink about it then? Of course, he probably didn’t know at that time that the Gators would be fighting for the championship, so it was hardly a priority then.
So Cliff — this isn’t just a matter of Nancy “rescheduling” Thursday and Friday business — the law mandates this business be conducted on these days. If you want to blow off your duty and go attend the game (knowing this will be used against you next time you’re up for re-election), that’s your business. But nobody’s going to buy the idea that Nancy is Cruella deVille because she won’t let you go to a football game.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pmHe evidently doesn’t know about the separation of sports and state.
Wingnutania:
January 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVPy-ejcbjM
Democrats could learn a little from the republicans about political theater, which is what Stearns’ stunt in August was… I remember when the Democrats were very good at political theater for the press to make a point… but how that works with the corporate media these days is anyone’s guess.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pmThe economy is crumbling, the US’s Empire is falling apart because overstrech, and Sterns worries are FOOTBALL!!!!
January 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pmJane said, “Did he want time off when his brother Bear was collapsing?”
January 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pmWell I suppose it could be worse. He could be concerned about baseball…
Sorry baseball fans. I just don’t get the attraction. Is it the beer served at the stadiums?
January 7th, 2009 at 1:16 pmThis guy is so far to the right he thinks the “people” are multi-national oil corporations.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pmHe doesn’t want to miss all those sweaty young bodies in action.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pmjb says;
LOL! I very nearly lost my mouthful of water onto the keyboard with that one. :)
January 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pmGeez, guys…
Such harsh words for Rep Stearns and the GOOP here this morning…
Perhaps we should all be a bit more circumspect, lest some poor, sensitive soul like Long John bOOOOOOOOOner breaks down and cries.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pmThings like this make me wonder how soon it will be before we see Congress members voting by Blackberry.
I mean, tradition is nice and all, but the amount of time most members actually spend in the House and Senate chambers is minimal at best already. Why not let them vote electronically? For that matter, why not let members – particularly ones on the west coast – teleconference into committee hearings now and then?
The carbon footprint of 435 individuals flying back and forth to Washington every week has to be pretty high – why not try and reduce that a little bit?
January 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pmWell if you let them do that before you know it they will be making the legislative language gender neutral…
January 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pmTROS; send the Rethugs a crying towel, with my compliments.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pmI can understand Rep. Stearn’s urgency. Rumor has it the best action to be had is in the stadium’s men’s room (tappity-tap). But seriously, Congress just voted itself a pay raise and this clown is allready planning on playing hookey?
January 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pmUnk Ho, as a former #68 – RNV 70-71, I have no sympathy for a bloated self centered NeoCON ass-plug whining about missing a frick’n GAME . . . there are over 4,200 that will NEVER see any games, and he said nothing. Hope Florida gets it’s ass embarrassed.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pmthis whole incident further highlights the motto of the repukelican party “hurray for my fcuk you!”
January 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pmWhat a nerve.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:39 pmJess W.; I hear you bro.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:45 pmDumb Question – doesn’t he get cable ? Couldn’t he afford a TiVo ?
January 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pmTo make Rep. Stearns’ day worse…
BOOMER SOONER!!!
If he wants to attend the game so much, he can take the red eye to and fro like a regular professional on the go. Oh wait, he thinks he’s above everyone else and needs a two day vacation to yuck it up!
My bad thinking this guy can walk and chew gum at the same time.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pmStearns:I need a make-up exam ’cause I want to go to the game.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pmPelosi: Are you actually playing in the game?
Stearns: No, but I bet big on the Gators.
Pelosi: Kiss my skinny white ass, bubba.
Wasn’t there a [fake] outrage about something like this last year? I think the reich-wing MSM was attempting to eviscerate Pelosi over some non-issue. Anyone recall the details?
Like Dr. Hussein Matt, I too remember this identical ‘problem’, although it may have been the year before last. But it was definitely a Florida Congress-critter, and it was definitely when Pelosi was Speaker and the Dems had control.
What a frickin’ laugh. It’s exactly like me asking my boss to CLOSE THE ENTIRE BUSINESS FOR TWO DAYS so I can go enjoy a Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion concert…
January 7th, 2009 at 3:21 pmIt looks like my memory served me, although I’m not completely sure: But the Florida Gators played and won a National Championship in 2006.
It probably wouldn’t take much to confirm some whining from Stearns for a day off in 2006, in EXACTLY the same fashion as he is today, but I’m done giving a sh*t for now.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:24 pmFor those of you wusses on here that abhor physicality of any kind and save all of your womanly anger only for republicans, bugger off. The recess can be postponed, it lasts several months. The National Championship Game is Broadcast for 3 hours ONLY, on Thursday night. Trying to compare the two is ridiculous. All Real Men in America will be watching the National Championship Game Thursday night. You better hope terrorists don’t attack because the country will be in the hands of the faintest of hearts.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pmLike to point out that this Republic Party P.O.S. Stearns, never graduated from nor attended The University of Florida. No connection at all. He’s probably going down to Miami because he can get laid.
Fork him and Go Gators.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:14 pm2 ideas: Regarding Joe going to Iraq for a while. I’d like to suggest he demonstrate the porosity of the Syrian border by making a private, clandestine trek from Jerusalem to Baghdad.
What about a list of Joe’s news reports:
1) Why does Isreali beer not taste like American ?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pm2) Why don’t they speak english ?
3) The Wailing Wall would be a nice place for a McDonalds – just look at all the people just standing around.
etc.
I am surprised Pelosi didn’t do it. Are you sure she didn’t?
No surprise that a Republican asked for such a thing. They just don’t have a clue. Of course Pelosi doesn’t either.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:07 pmorganized sport is lame. Well other than bicycle racing and the World Cup… Oh and marathoning. Baseball, football, basketball… Who cares?
January 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pmThis guy should shove a football up his …
January 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm