Sports Teams Fall Victim to Congress' Petty Feuds

Health care reform? Congress has trouble enough honoring sports teams. A resolution to formally salute Maryland's basketball team for making the NCAA tournament nearly fell victim to a feud between congressmen today. Maryland Democrat Steny Hoyer proposed the seemingly noncontroversial measure, which should have zipped by in a voice vote. Instead, California Republican John Campbell forced a roll call vote, and he came within 15 votes of killing it.

It's all about convoluted payback, explains the Hill. Hoyer blocked a similar measure from Campbell last year to honor the men's volleyball team at the University of California-Irvine. And Hoyer did that at the request of California Dem George Miller—who was ticked off that Campbell voted against his water bill, and enlisted the majority leader to seek revenge.
(More House of Representatives stories.)