What should I think of the House Freedom Caucus?

Nine right-wing representatives have formed the above-named caucus to move on issues important to them. Like, you know, futilely trying to repeal Obamacare for the 56th time. So I loved this quote from a senior GOP staffer on the group:

"They're not legislators, they're just assholes."

Pop Quiz!

Gail Collins ran her annual “July the 4^th” quiz yesterday. My favorite three questions:

1. Representative Michele Bachmann made news when she announced she would notrun for re-election. Which of the following was not among her career highlights:

a) Mixed up actor John Wayne with serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
b) Said the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired in New Hampshire.
c) Said that a nonseasonal blizzard in Minnesota was God's warning to politicians to reduce the size of government.

2. Just before leaving town for its holiday break, the House of Representatives finished up work on:

a) The farm bill.
b) Fixing the Voting Rights Act.
c) Naming a Mississippi River bridge after Stan Musial.

3. The House recently passed a ban on abortions after the 20th week of a pregnancy. In a committee meeting, Representative Michael Burgess, a Republican of Texas, supported the bill by claiming:

a) A 15-week-old fetus can masturbate.
b) Pregnant women have to be protected from their hormone-induced bad judgment.
c) The Republican majority's work expanding health care, nutrition and education for poor children makes abortion unnecessary.

Answers: 1.) Trick question (she did them all)  2.) c  3.) a 

And yes, Michael Burgess, you are the Small Mind of the Day.