Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, tabled consideration of legislation backed by the vast majority of House members to give authority to the President to toughen sanctions against Iran in a bid to dissuade that nation from pursuing its development of nuclear weapons.

Russia is threatening Georgia and other nations on its periphery. North Korea is launching ballistic missiles. But the committee, apparently, has better ways to spend its time.They struggled with the wording of a resolution mourning the passing of Michael Jackson!

Our taxpayer dollars at work. Or not. Thank you Sheila Jackson-Lee for the bit of levity at taxpayers' expense.

Gail Collins of the New York Times:

The resolution was introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. It praises the entertainer's charitable activities, perhaps in more detail than is absolutely necessary. ("Whereas in December 1991, Michael's office MJJ Productions donated more than 200 turkey dinners to needy families in Los Angeles. ...") Jackson Lee gave a long and emotional speech at the memorial, in which she claimed to be appearing on behalf of the entire House of Representatives. All of whom, she seemed to suggest, owed their careers to the singer. ("He called us into public service. ...")