How Law is Made in Washington-Delta Smelt and Anteaters

Behold the majesty




Inside the capitol
"Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go"

If you have ever wondered what goes into the process of making laws in our nation's capital, here is an example that is quite illuminating. It was reported on in the Orange County Register of October 16.

Representative John Campbell, a Republican who represents Orange County, had written up a resolution to honor the UC-Irvine Anteaters national volleyball champs of 2009. Perhaps you might think this is a waste of time for the lawmakers considering all the really important stuff they have on their plates, and I would not disagree. But these things happen every day in Congress, so what the hell, it's a nice thought, right?

Yet, a week ago, the resolution was blocked at the last minute by the chairman of the Education Committee, George Miller (D). Why?

Well, it seems that Miller was just trying to get back at Campbell for joining 168 other Republicans in opposing a $38 million bill that Miller was pushing for a Bay-area water recycling project. Due to GOP opposition, the bill failed to get a required 2/3rds majority.

Campbell had apparently voted no because Miller had opposed an effort by California Republicans to keep the pumps open at the Sacramento Bay Delta Pumping Station that sends water to the Central valley and Southern California. At present, these pumps are closed for 3-6 months a year in order to protect the Delta smelt and other fish singled out by the Endangered Species Act. (I have recently written on this subject.)

This is a case of not scratching each other's back.