McCain blocking bill to to change Navy Department’s name to "Department of the Navy & Marine Corps"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

What’s in a name? Just ask former Navy pilot hero Sen. McCain
By Bob Cusack and Roxana Tiron - 05/03/10 08:25 PM ET

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is playing a major role in blocking a House bill that has a record number of co-sponsors.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), is one of the more straightforward bills in Congress. It would add three words to the Navy Department’s name, changing it from the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.

For the first time, and with Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton’s (D-Mo.) blessing, the measure will be voted on on the House floor Tuesday as a standalone bill.

The provisions in Jones’s legislation previously passed the lower chamber as part of the annual defense authorization bill, but were repeatedly rejected in conference by senators, including McCain.

The Marine Corps is under the umbrella of the Navy Department, a fact that proponents of the Jones bill say some people don’t know — including members of Congress.

Jones contends that not including the Marine Corps in the Navy Department’s formal name is a slight to the Marines who have fought and died for the U.S.

McCain, the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee who served as a Navy captain, disagrees. Asked if he backs the Jones measure, McCain, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, responded, “No. I don’t. That’s the Department of the Navy.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/95799-whats-in-a-name-just-ask-this-former-navy-pilot-hero

[Brickbat]

1. Honey, go pat Grandpa's hand and let him know we're here. He's going off again.

Take a napkin; he'll probably froth a bit.

[Chan790]

2. See...McCain has a good reason.

It's the dreaded "'cause I said so." defense. I used to like him a good deal for a GOPer and wondered how he chose a moron for a running mate...so obvious now they're mental equals.

[shotten99]

3. He's right. This is 200 years of tradition they'd undo.

Source: Me as a Navy Veteran

[brendan120678]

From what I understand, most Navy folks...

consider most Marine folks to be nothing more than hitchhikers on the Navy ships.

[Turbineguy]

4. I agree.

The title isn't anywhere near long enough.