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Congressional Stalls

By Joe Consumer

The last time we remember anyone talking about Congress and stalls in the same sentence, the topic was the men?s room at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and a certain "wide stance" Senator.   

Ah, those were the days.  Now, the headlines go something like ?Senate Bill on Food Safety Is Stalled.?  This is lot more serious.  

Seems like despite numerous food safety scandals (some of which we?re covered here, here, here,) Tea Party fav Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has decided to single-handedly block a food safety bill that ?has broad bipartisan support, is a priority for the Obama administration and has the backing of both industry and consumer groups.?  

Meanwhile, the New York Times' editorial yesterday blasted similar politicking that has kept the Senate from passing critical mine safety legislation following the many mine tragedies, most prominent the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 (here, here).  The Times also mentions that Congress is stalling passing legislation to help the families of 11 workers killed in the explosion, which we wrote about last week, not to mention raising the total liability cap from $75 million, . 

But that?s not to say everyone in Congress is stalling.  For example, last week the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee?s Health Subcommittee passed a bill to fix something we?ve covered here: ?the growing concerns about concussions and other serious head injuries among school-aged children.?  This bill passed the sub-committee after a hearing with ?student athletes, trainers, sports doctors and brain injury specialists at the home of the New Jersey Devils.? (There?s a full Committee hearing this week.)

Then it goes over to the Senate.  There go those flushing sounds in my head again! 

Full post as published by ThePopTort on September 20, 2010 (boomark / email).