The 109th Congress’ Loneliest Caucuses
Monday, February 27th, 2006
Updated: So it’s a list of officers. So what. It was a rough weekend, ok? And this Earl guy — probably not a jackass. But who’s he trying to impress running around in a bowtie running all these caucuses?
The Committe on House Administration has a very handy list of every member officer of every Congressional caucus — our favorites are the ones with only one member officer, ever-so-slightly expanding the definition of “caucus” to include “nice-sounding group name one makes up to make it sound like one’s getting a lot done.” Are these causes too lame to attract more than one member officers? Or are these members officers just losers with whom no one wants to party? Just for reference: The Shellfish Caucus, whose aim is to “increase awareness of important policy issues affecting the shellfish industry,” has six members officers. Those issues which aren’t quite so important include:
Congressional Taskforce on International HIV/AIDS
Rep. Jim McDermott
Economic Competitiveness Caucus
Rep. Todd Tiahrt
Gulf Coast Rebuilding and Recovery Caucus
Rep. Bennie Thompson
And in the “That Explains It” file:
Metro Congestion Coalition
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Victory in Iraq Caucus
Rep. Joe Wilson
And ladies and gentlemen, meet the king of the one-man caucus:
Army Corps Reform Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Congressional Bike Caucus (CBC)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
House Trails Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Unexploded Ordnance Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Earl (pictured, natch) just doesn’t seem to work well with others. We think it’s the tie. Look at him — would you want to caucus with that jackass?
The full list of Caucuses of One, after the jump.
Updated: So it’s a list of officers. So what. It was a rough weekend, ok? And this Earl guy — probably not a jackass. But who’s he trying to impress running around in a bowtie running all these caucuses?
The Committe on House Administration has a very handy list of every member officer of every Congressional caucus — our favorites are the ones with only one member officer, ever-so-slightly expanding the definition of “caucus” to include “nice-sounding group name one makes up to make it sound like one’s getting a lot done.” Are these causes too lame to attract more than one member officers? Or are these members officers just losers with whom no one wants to party? Just for reference: The Shellfish Caucus, whose aim is to “increase awareness of important policy issues affecting the shellfish industry,” has six members officers. Those issues which aren’t quite so important include:
Congressional Taskforce on International HIV/AIDS
Rep. Jim McDermott
Economic Competitiveness Caucus
Rep. Todd Tiahrt
Gulf Coast Rebuilding and Recovery Caucus
Rep. Bennie Thompson
And in the “That Explains It” file:
Metro Congestion Coalition
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Victory in Iraq Caucus
Rep. Joe Wilson
And ladies and gentlemen, meet the king of the one-man caucus:
Army Corps Reform Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Congressional Bike Caucus (CBC)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
House Trails Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Unexploded Ordnance Caucus
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Earl (pictured, natch) just doesn’t seem to work well with others. We think it’s the tie. Look at him — would you want to caucus with that jackass?
The full list of Caucuses of One, after the jump.
