The problem is not in your set.

But television viewers can't be faulted if they mistakenly thought C-SPAN looks a lot like ESPN.

That's because Congress sure burns a lot of time digging around in professional and collegiate sports.

To wit:

The acquittal of Roger Clemens on charges that he lied to lawmakers about using steroids. Alleged oping in horseracing. Questionable boxing matches. The Bowl Championship Series. Bounties in the National Football League.

Cutting spending? Restoring jobs? Syria? Yeah, Congress wrestles with those issues, too. But it seems as though the world of sports owns box seats on Capitol Hill.

It's always been that way.

When it comes to sports, Congress has historically spent the most time on the national pastime. That may only be fitting. As far back as the 1890s, there were debates in Congress about whether the Sherman Antitrust Act applied to professional baseball.