DAVE ROSS

Capitol Hill Kumbayah

Nov 18, 2014, 8:19 AM | Updated: 10:40 am

The Government Report Eliminations Act of 2014 brought Republican Darrell Issa to the floor to actu...

The Government Report Eliminations Act of 2014 brought Republican Darrell Issa to the floor to actually compliment the White House, "I'd like to thank the administration ..." (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

There’s really no market for stories that reflect well on Congress – which must be why almost no one covered the passage of this bill last week: The Government Report Eliminations Act of 2014.

You see, one of the things Congress does when it passes a law, is that it requires annual reports on how the law is working. Over the years the list has grown so that now, according to the Washington Post, Congress has assigned itself an annual reading list of 4,291 reports.

Imagine how smart the members must be by now!

Except it turns out many of them go unread. Why no one would want to read the annual report on Dog and Cat Fur Protection, I can’t say,

But in 2012 the Obama Administration put out a list of 269 reports that could be safely eliminated. After two years, Congress pared that down to 48 – one percent of the total, and last week, the bill passed!

So, the Dog and Cat Fur Protection report, which was keeping 15 staffers busy for three months, will cease publication. Although, I’m sure you can find used copies on Amazon.

More importantly, it brought Republican Darrell Issa to the floor to actually compliment the White House, “I’d like to thank the administration …”

When Congress can finally come together with the White House to eliminate one percent of its paperwork, I ask you, can a compromise on Immigration Reform be far behind?

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

Image: From left, Chris Sullivan, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien stand together in the KIRO Newsradi...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dave and Colleen’s final ‘SMN:’ KIRO colleagues, politicians say their goodbyes

"Seattle's Morning News" on KIRO Newsradio will soon have a new sound. On Thursday, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien will host their last show together after a decade of co-hosting.

2 years ago

Classical literature on bookshelves. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross as you’ve never heard him before: ‘I like fat books and I can’t deny’

"This song, inspired by one of my first interviews when I started my talk show, which was Sir Mix-A-Lot," Dave Ross said.

2 years ago

national debt...

Dave Ross

‘Don’t cut a cent:’ Dave Ross on why the national debt never gets under control

The national debt now exceeds $36 trillion, and every president says it has to be under control. And yet, it never is.

2 years ago

voters hormone...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters weren’t just voting for change, they were voting for a hormone

The more I read the post-election analysis, the more I’m convinced voters weren’t just voting for a change – they were voting for a hormone.

2 years ago

ross o'brien - Seattle's Morning News...

Frank Sumrall

Dave Ross, Colleen O’Brien departing after co-hosting ‘Seattle’s Morning News’ for a decade

Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien, the co-hosts of "Seattle's Morning News" on KIRO Newsradio are both leaving the show.

2 years ago

election day...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross: Election Day and Decision Day are two separate things

Tomorrow is Election Day – that’s what the calendar says. But there are two problems with the term "Election Day."

2 years ago

Capitol Hill Kumbayah