Reporter's Notebook: House Dems question sports bill timing amid Lane Kiffin controversy

By Fox News · Fox News

There’s no easy solution in Congress to fix spiking healthcare premiums by the end of the year. "Republicans are sleepwalking America straight into a healthcare crisis," thundered Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The sides lack consensus so far on bills to avoid a partial government shutdown in late January. "We still have a lot of work to do on them," said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Ind. CONGRESS RACES AGAINST 3-WEEK DEADLINE TO TACKLE MASSIVE YEAR-END LEGISLATIVE AGENDA So many pressing subjects facing Congress over the next few weeks, so little time. "I'm literally thinking and watching the clock in front of me tick," said Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. So it’s little surprise why House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., had questions about why the House planned debate on a bill last week about money in big-time college sports. Jeffries had specific questions for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Steve Scalise , R-La., – both graduates of Louisiana State University, and superfans of the Tigers. "Who exactly directed Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise to bring this bill to the floor this week? Was it the big donors connected to LSU?" questioned Jeffries. "Why would Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise think it was a good idea to bring the ‘Lane Kiffin Protection Act’ to the floor of the House of Representatives?" Whoa. "Lane Kiffin Protection Act?" Congress had a lot to do. And the major bill on the House floor last week was on — wait for it — regulating money in college sports. It came just as Lane Kiffin defected from Ole Miss to LSU for a $91 million contract. And it came while Ole Miss was in the middle of an 11-1 season, is ranked number six in the country and has a chance to compete for the national title. CONGRESS FACES HOLIDAY CRUNCH AS HEALTH CARE FIX COLLIDES WITH SHRINKING CALENDAR The House was set to debate a bill last week which would establish a national standard for NIL or name, image and likeness, in college sports…