House Republicans Won’t Be Cheering On the Terps

They could be arguing over health care. They could be bickering over how to improve an economy that has kicked each and every American in the huevos for the past year. But oh no, there are more important things to discuss in Washington. Mainly if Maryland’s basketball team deserves some props for a good season. Our government is awesome. More after the jump.

Typically fun propositions like formally congratulating sports teams aren’t met with not a whole lot of resistance. I mean, it’s all in good fun right?

Wrong!

When a resolution to formally recognize the Terps was introduced by Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, California Rep. John Campbell (a Republican) decided that it simply wasn’t fair. He had apparently asked for similar recognition for the University of California, Irvine when its men’s volleyball team took the championship, but his resolution was thrown by the wayside and they never got their time in the House spotlight. So when it came to throwing some congrats Maryland’s way, John and 128 of his fellow Republicans refused to go along with the celebrating. And if their refusal wasn’t bad enough, Rep. Campbell went for the jugglar with this schpel.

“…those kids who won that national championship were not able to get the same recognition that apparently today these players for Maryland, who are just in the playoffs, are going to receive. In the past, we have done these for teams that win national championships. This is for a team that’s making the playoffs, one of 65.”

“Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have here the sports section from today’s Washington Post,” he said. “I will read from the front page where it says that according to a study, Maryland had the lowest graduation rate, 8 percent, among the 65 NCAA tournament teams. Given that this is being put forth in the Education and Labor Committee, if we were going to look at all the 65 teams in the NCAA championships, should we be considering the academics of the teams that are in or not in?”

Ok now, I didn’t really think it was all that serious! But regardless of the Republican moaning and groaning the resolution passed and the Terps will be getting formal recognition from the House.

And as for Rep. Cambell and the University of California, Irvine’s men’s volleyball team…hate to break it to you, but no one cares. No one will be playing “One Shinning Moment” for a bunch of dudes in shorts and knee pads.

Via: The Washington Post