Around a month ago, Washington Nationals centerfielder Denard Span went 5-for-6 against Atlanta, with a home run and three doubles. He scored four times, helping the Nationals to a 13-12 win.
Last week, I went 5-for-6 with amendments on the Floor of the House, including four that passed unanimously. One attracted 71 GOP votes to add to 174 Democratic votes, helping Team Truth to a 245-182 win.
And as I finished my work and flew home from DC, the Nats were playing the Cubs. With one out in the top of the eighth inning, Denard Span heard the crack of Anthony Rizzos bat, he raced back-back-back (at 18.6 mph, according to Statcast), and he leaped high up against the right-centerfield wall, robbing Rizzo of a home run and saving the game for the Nationals.
Coincidence? Well . . . yes, it was a coincidence. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Anyway, here are the solid, progressive amendments that I passed last week:
(1) A shield law, to protect reporters from being imprisoned for not revealing their sources, because journalism is not a felony (home run!).
(2) An amendment that restored 42% of the budget cuts inflicted on the Housing for the Elderly Program (double!).
(3) An amendment increasing funding for bilingual housing counseling by 50% (double!).
(4) An amendment prohibiting bonus payments to contractors who are behind schedule or over-budget (double!).
(5) A contractor death penalty prohibiting new contracts to government contractors who commit crimes or fraud (solid single!).
By the way, I was up until 2 am on both Tuesday night and Wednesday night, lining up support for these amendments. But it sure was worth it.
We did lose one an amendment to require the Trade Representative to release to the public his drafts of secret trade deals, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The opponents of our amendment said that those deals could never withstand the light of day (?!), and somehow, that was a winning argument. I was hoping for a better result; thats one where I asked for your help (because I knew I needed it), and I dont do that lightly. But to those of us who did call (202) 224-3121, and registered your support for that amendment, I say special thanks.
Now take a look at that list of five successful amendments above. Five progressive amendments, passed in a GOP-dominated House of Representatives.
If people tell you that no one can get anything done in Washington, DC, what they really mean is that they cant get anything done in Washington, DC. We can, and we do. If Denard Span could catch that ball before it flew over the fence, then we can beat the odds, too. Thanks to you, and your support.
Courage,
Rep. Alan Grayson
If you want to show your support for a Congressman With Guts who gets good things done, click here. Every dollar counts.