Allard Proposes Reagan Tribute

Color me skeptical about DC's temporary "bipartisanship"--code for agreeing with Democrats:

Sen. Wayne Allard is going to challenge Democrats' spirit of bipartisanship in coming months by pushing for legislation to give a Republican icon, former President Ronald Reagan, a rare, artistic honor at the U.S. Capitol.

Today, the first day Democrats held Senate majority control, Allard introduced a list of 15 bills, including one that would give Reagan, affectionately known as "the Gipper" for a 1940 movie role, a place of honor inside the Capitol, alongside the likes of former President George Washington and others.

The bill calls for adding an artistic rendering of his famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, where he challenged former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down that wall." Similar legislation didn't move when Allard first introduced it last year, back when Congress was under Republican control.

Allard hopes it could move now, even with Democrats in control, because the new session began with so much talk of bipartisanship.

"Reagan appealed to both Democrats and Republicans," Allard said. "All we can do is try."

Reagan had more success bringing down Communism than Republicans will of passing pro-Reagan proposals such as this one. It is a moment, however, that should be chronicled in the history of the Presidency, and rightfully deserves a place in the Capitol.