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.