Well, just when we thought we had them on the ropes, what with the Schiavo Memo, the tanking Social Security plan and record-low job approval ratings, Congress has unfurled their secret weapon:
the awesome power of the sun.
More beneath the flip
Lawmakers crafting energy legislation approved an amendment Wednesday to extend daylight-saving time by two months, having it start on the first Sunday in March and end on the last Sunday in November.
"Extending daylight-saving time makes sense, especially with skyrocketing energy costs," said Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, who along with Rep. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, co-sponsored the measure.
The amendment was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee that is putting together major parts of energy legislation likely to come up for a vote in the full House in the coming weeks.
"The more daylight we have, the less electricity we use," said Markey, who cited Transportation Department estimates that showed the two-month extension would save the equivalent of 10,000 barrels of oil a day.
The country uses about 20 million barrels of oil a day.
Presumably, Dick Cheney will use his super-strength to slow the Earth's rotation, allowing for more daylight (ed. note: so THAT'S what his secret energy task force was all about!).
Now all we need is the Puppydogs for Everyone Act of 2005 to pass, and I think Congress can go home.