Pressing issues facing Congress

Today, Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank has a look at the important business of the House Government Reform Committee, which approved a number of bills yesterday:

There are many who say we have a do-nothing Congress, but Albert Pujols should no longer be one of them.

The St. Louis Cardinals slugger was honored by the House Government Reform Committee, which at a business meeting yesterday moved with alacrity to approve H. Res. 626, commending Pujols for receiving "18 of 32 first-place votes to capture the MVP title" for the National League in 2005.

The panel could not tarry to celebrate Pujols, however. It also had to approve H. Res. 627, congratulating St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter for winning the Cy Young Award after posting "a 21-5 record while also achieving career highs in E.R.A., strikeouts, innings pitched, completed games and shutouts."

Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.) pointed out that lawmakers were missing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nationals' new ballpark. "Some of us have passed up the opportunity to be there to conduct the people's business," he said.

And the people had lots of business that needed doing. The people needed the committee to approve H. Res. 753, commending "American craft brewers," and H. Con. Res. 399, recognizing "the 30th anniversary of the victory of United States winemakers at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting."

Before the tired lawmakers could adjourn, the people demanded that they name four post offices and declare Congress's support for "the goals and ideals of National Passport Month" (H. Res. 327), "National Tourism Week" (H. Res. 729), and "National Children and Families Day" (H. Res. 763).

Here is the complete text of H. Res 626:

RESOLUTION

Congratulating Albert Pujols on being named the Most Valuable Player for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season.

Whereas Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals was named the Most Valuable Player for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season;

Whereas in 2005 Albert Pujols led the Cardinals with a batting average of .330, 41 home runs, 117 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases;

Whereas Albert Pujols is the only player in the history of Major League Baseball to have a batting average higher than .300, hit 30 or more home runs, drive in 100 or more runs, and score 100 or more runs in each of his first five seasons in the major leagues;

Whereas Albert Pujols has already won the 2001 Rookie of the Year Award for the National League, the 2003 National League batting championship, and the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2004 National League Championship Series;

Whereas Albert Pujols exemplifies true sportsmanship and class;

and Whereas Albert Pujols is active in numerous St. Louis area charities and causes, most notably through his establishment of, and involvement in, the Pujols Family Foundation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates Albert Pujols on being named the Most Valuable Player for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season.

Tags: Congress Government Reform Cardinals Pujols