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08.07.2008
Your Federal Government at Work

You may be wondering: Since Don Young and William Jefferson have been exposed as shamefully corrupt, what do they spend their time in Congress doing? Answer: Fighting bed bugs. Seriously. Young and Jefferson are among the co-sponsors of the Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008 (yes, that's its real name), which proposes to provide $200 million over four years in grants to states to fight bed bugs in hotel rooms. Right now the bill's prospects don't look great, but the anti–bed bug netroots is mobilizing its membership to lobby for the legislation, so it could be a real dogfight.

Next up: Congress goes after mildew!

(Hat tip: J.B.) 

--Josh Patashnik 

Posted: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 3:37 PM with 6 comment(s)

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bigfish said:

Isn't it obvious?  William Jefferson doesn't want bugs eating up the money he has stashed in his mattress.  Freezers can only hold so much.

July 8, 2008 3:50 PM

stgla said:

Ewww.

July 8, 2008 3:56 PM

jemerk said:

Wanna bet both of these guys will be reelected as per the genius of our founding fathers' grand design - per your other linked post.

July 8, 2008 4:16 PM

adaglas said:

That mildew problem will be solved yet.  I understand Congress is authorizing $30 million in supplementary funds for the Army's elite Scrubbing Bubbles Division.

July 8, 2008 4:26 PM

adamvaught said:

Congress should really focus on the Good Night, Sleep Tight Act of 2008 before they focus on the bed bugs.

July 8, 2008 5:23 PM

aeromonas said:

Have you ever been a victim of a bed bug attack, Josh?  I mean HAVE you?!?  I don't think so.  If you had, you wouldn't take such a flippant attitude to this worthy piece of legislation.  Mine and millions of bed bug sufferers' lives have been made a living hell by these noxious vermin.  The itching simply...does...not...stop.   You go to take you kids on a fun-filled family vacation to Dollywood, and you think you'll save a little money by staying at a motel a half hour away down the interstate and next thing you know your whole weekend is ruined!  You're itching so bad not even the Mountain Slidewinder or the Tennessee Tornado can distract you.  All day long it's nothing but scratch/itch/scratch/itch/sctach.  Shame on you, Josh.  For shame!

July 9, 2008 10:04 AM