It appears they have nothing better to do.

Via Politico:

Fifty senators wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to officially call on the Washington franchise to change its team name from the Redskins.

“We urge the N.F.L. to formally support a name change for the Washington football team,” the letter said.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) circulated the letter, which was signed by half of the members of the Senate, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). No Republicans signed onto the letter. The letter to Goodell marked the most significant congressional endorsement of a name change to date.

The senators said that the team name was offensive to Native Americans and served as a “racial slur.”

“The N.F.L. can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur,” the letter said.

The senators urged Goodell to follow the lead of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who recently banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league over his statements on race.

“Today, we urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports,” the letter said. “It’s time for the NFL to endorse a name change for the Washington, D.C. football team.

Just five Democrats declined to sign onto the letter, including both Virginia senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The other Democrats who declined to endorse the letter were Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.

http://weaselzippers.us/186859-almost-ev...-a-racial-slur/

NFL Responds To Dem Senators Demand They Change Redskins Name: No

Via The Hill:

The NFL signaled Thursday it would not heed the call of 50 Democratic senators to support changing the name of the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins name is not used by the NFL in any other context than to present a “strong, positive and respectful image,” the league said after nearly every Democratic senator signed a letter addressed to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The league said it respects the opinions of those who view it differently, pointing out that that two senators from Virginia, where the team headquarters are located, did not sign on.

“The NFL has long demonstrated a commitment to progressive leadership on issues of diversity and inclusion, both on and off the field,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “The intent of the team’s name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image. The name is not used by the team or the NFL in any other context, though we respect those that view it differently.”

In the past, Goodell has pointed to polling to show overwhelming support for keeping the name. He has also commended Redskins owner Dan Snyder for his outreach to Native American communities.

In their letter to Goodell, the senators said the NFL should follow the lead of the NBA, which recently banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racially insensitive remarks.

http://weaselzippers.us/186921-nfl-respo...dskins-name-no/