As every American knows, it is the noble job of Congress to debate some of the most important questions of our time. On Thursday, the House of Representatives set about doing just that when a spontaneous argument broke out on the floor over whether Nickelback is good or not.
The debate flared up after Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) cited the statistic that only four people out of 77,000 wanted to keep a particular voting rights provision that was being debated by the body. He described the ratio as "probably about the percent of people who think Nickelback is their favorite band in this country."
Pocan was almost immediately interrupted by an offended Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.). "Why would you criticize one of the greatest bands of the '90s?" the Illinois congressman called across the room.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
"Wow," a clearly startled Pocan said. "One more reason why there's a difference between Democrats and Republicans."
But the debate didn't end there. When Pocan yielded the floor, Davis immediately brought up Nickelback again. "I know [Pocan] did not mean to offend the many thousands upon thousands of Nickelback fans in his district in Wisconsin," Davis teased, adding: "And yes, I actually do have a Nickelback song on my running playlist that I listen to on a regular basis. I was ridiculed [for] that when I posted my playlist one time, and I know some in this chamber, even up at the dais, are still laughing about that."
When Davis yielded the floor back to Pocan, the Wisconsin lawmaker illustrated why Congress is the most civil and tolerant legislative body in the world. "I will just wrap by saying, I appreciate that very brave admission of your fandom for Nickelback," Pocan said. "That's very brave, and I do recognize that." Watch the whole hilarious exchange below, or in full via C-Span, here. Jeva Lange
