ABOUT:
Defense policy analysis, commentary and discussion.It’s not every day a lawmaker urges his constituents to break the law.
But during Tuesday’s House Judiciary Committee markup, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) did just that.
King was incensed — incensed, we say! — when the Department of Energy fined several luxury showerhead manufacturers for selling showerheads that gave off more water than was legal.
(Real question: But how was the water pressure?)
“I’ll tell you how I celebrate those things. [Wait, sir, what things? Showerheads? Or regulations?] It’s my water. It’s my showerhead,” King declared. “I don’t want a nanny state.”
“I drilled my showerhead out with an 8-inch bit,” he continued. “And now I can take a shower in three minutes instead of 12.” (Seriously, everything about this call to arms is delicious.)
“I encourage any American that finds himself wasting too much time waiting for their feet to get wet to drill out their [Vice President] Al Gore water-saver showerhead and go ahead and commit an act of civil disobedience.” (Steve King: the Henry David Thoreau of the House.)
Republicans at the committee meeting chortled and agreed that the government should stay out of Americans’ showers.
So, friends, if the cops show up at King’s bathroom door some morning, you’ll know why.
Shower to the people! Occupy Showers! And other stuff.
Want Roll Call on your doorstep?
SIGN UPAlready a subscriber?
Sign up to have the print PDF emailed to you.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
