Rep. Kristi Noem is working hard in Washington, reaching across the aisles to support her long-standing effort to tackle tough issues like naming the bison the national mammal:
Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) proposed the bill, H.R. 3400, along with Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.).
Their bill finds that bison — often called buffaloes — are an "historical symbol" of the United States. The mammals had to be saved from extinction more than 100 years ago, in the early 20th century, according to the bill [Peter Kasperowicz, "And the Nominee for the National Mammal of the United States Is...," The Hill: Floor Action, 2013.11.01].
With substantive issues like the national mammal taken care of, Rep. Noem and her colleagues can afford to take some time off in 2014:
Congress, the group of esteemed lawmakers who brought you the government shutdown of 2013, has announced that they plan to be in session forfewer days next year.
The news came from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., who announced the schedule on Twitter.
I am pleased to announce the 2014 House calendar: http://t.co/8Pl84VK2sp
— Eric Cantor (@GOPLeader) October 31, 2013
Follow the links and you'll get to this handy-dandy schedule (PDF) that lists the days when Congress will be in session. The grand total for 2014: 113 scheduled days. In 2013, the expected total was 126 days [Mike Krumboltz, "Congress Announces It Will Be in Session Fewer Days in 2014," Yahoo News: Sideshow, 2013.10.31].
Maybe Congress really has run out of big issues to deal with. Or maybe the House Republican leadership realizes Kristi and her colleagues will need a lot more time to campaign back home to keep from losing their majority.
Why do I feel like we're about to be buffaloed?
p.s.: Democratic Congressional candidate Corinna Robinson vows that, whatever committee she is appointed to, she will attend all meetings. No word on whether she'll be on the phone at those meetings.
Maybe she would be more effective working on making the loon the national bird instead of the eagle.
Doug, I think that has been covered. The loon is already the state bird of Minn. and then symbol of MICHELLE BACHMANN!
Don't tell her but the bison is a vegan. Obviously she doesn't want to do anything about preventing the slaughter of wild horses.
Maybe Cantor is scheduling less votes on ending national health care. No, just kidding.