Congressman Barton introduces legislation aimed at the national championship game.
Despite all the pressing issues facing the nation, Capitol Hill once again disappoints. As Congress is set for winter recess, a few members wanted to waste time and money by introducing unnecessary bills right before the holidays. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) thought the nation would best be served if he introduced H.R. 3696, a bill aimed at the NCAA Division I championship football game.
On December 16, 2011, H.R. 3696 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill was crafted to “prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or practice, the promotion, marketing, and advertising of any post-season NCAA Division I football game as a national championship game unless such game is the culmination of a fair and equitable playoff system.” H.R. 3696 is currently sitting in committee status with two other congressmen co-sponsoring the bill (Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Michael Simpson (R-ID)).
As if H.R. 3696 wasn’t enough, on December 15, 2011, 70-year old Rep. John Carter (Rep-TX) introduced H. RES. 498 to recognize and commend Baylor University’s Robert Griffin III (RGIII) for winning the 2011 Heisman Trophy. RGIII is certainly earning every accolade he receives, but during an economic downturn, is this what Congress should be focusing on?
As much as fans want a college football playoff system and want to honor RGIII for winning the Heisman, it seems as though Congress does not have its priorities in order. It is no wonder the general consensus has no confidence in the legislative branch and is losing faith in our government.
