Among the many things Congress has on its to-do list this week is a flood-insurance bill, which is being pushed fairly aggressively by the leadership in both parties. It reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance for five years, before it expires next month, and it's been widely expected that the bill would pass fairly easily.
It has, however, run into a little trouble. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is demanding an amendment to the flood-insurance bill: the Life at Conception Act, which would define life as beginning at conception. Paul's language states that "Congress hereby declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being."
What does Rand Paul's take on reproductive rights have to do with flood insurance? Nothing, but Paul doesn't much care.
Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called this "ridiculous" and said he wouldn't allow a vote on Paul's amendment.
Of course, in the larger context, it's hard not to marvel at the Republicans' laser-like focus on jobs, jobs, jobs culture-war legislation. This is precisely what GOP candidates promised voters in the 2010 midterms, right?
Update: Rand Paul, an alleged libertarian, also want to use federal power to change abortion laws in the District of Columbia, even if the people of D.C. disagree.