Note to new reps: Try being leaders
As the Republicans prepare to take over the majority in the House of Representatives, their second-ranking Republican leader, Eric Cantor, wrote a 144-page guide to Congress for his new colleagues. According to press reports, it was mostly do’s and don’ts on congressional inside baseball.
Don’t sit in the wrong place: “There are no assigned seats on the House floor…But you are more likely to find your fellow Republicans on the right side of the chamber.”
Don’t talk openly about committee assignments.
Use the Capitol’s tunnel system to avoid the media when heading to votes.
Members should dress properly on the House floor.
There’s a lot to learn about Congress. Being a new member is daunting. So perhaps new members need this kind of Boy Scout manual advice.
But we all should be disappointed that there were no do’s and don’ts on what they should do to make the lives of the American people better, safer and more financially secure. Do create jobs. Do reduce the deficit. Do end the war in Afghanistan. Do enact reform that will make home ownership an American value again. Do ensure an honest and transparent Wall Street and protection for consumers in the marketplace.
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