Where’s Bilbray?
When the US House Representatives came to order on Tuesday night, the first thing they voted on was a call to order to establish a quorum. It’s the Congressional equivalent of a classroom roll call.
Present: 373 members. Absent: 61 members.
Among those MIA was San Diego’s Rep. Brian Bilbray.
The next day Congress considered four bills and Bilbray was listed as “not voting” on all of them:
- Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (link)
- To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, as the “E.V. Wilkins Post Office”. (link)
- Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes (an attempt to override an Obama veto – link)
- Honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraging the continued commitment to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national day of service. (link)
Ever since South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford disappeared for nearly a week last summer, journalists have been very wary of politicians who go AWOL. And that’s not just because of potential sex scandals; a politician who comes down with swine flu or plays hooky in order to address AIPAC is just as newsworthy.
So, I called his office. Nothing really exciting.
The votes were inconsequential, so “he took a personal day.” They wouldn’t share where he’s taking his personal day. So, I had to ask:
Me: Is he…um…hiking the Appalachian trail?
Spokesman: Have you ever met Mrs. Bilbray? Oh my God, no! Congressman Bilbray might be a US congressman, but, Mrs Bilbray, she is numero uno. She makes sure Brian is doing what he’s supposed to do.
um…minus his job voting.
LOL! It’s too bad he wasn’t there to fight off more of Obama’s socialism. As for bills 2 & 3, who gives a shit? And as for bill 4, as much as Martin Luther King did good for his people, it’s a shame his people haven’t done more for themselves.