NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed a House committee today that either its interns don’t know how Google works or the Congresscritters are unaware real life isn’t like the Washington Post, where public temper tantrums usually bring about the desired staffing results. Goodell’s information impartation took place before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which for reasons unbeknownst to all, save perhaps its members’ campaign managers, has assumed upon itself the role of overseeing and reforming NFL team owners, specifically Washington Redskins Commanders owner Dan Snyder. Who could most likely use some oversight and reform, but since Congress has solved all other problems facing the nation, now it’s his turn.

The revelation came when Squad member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI, otherwise known as The Wonderful State That Gave You Gretchen Whitmer) came up with this immortal exchange. Even when sourced by Squad-friendly ESPN, Tlaib’s knowledge gap as to how the NFL works is astonishing.

At one point near the end of more than two hours of testimony, Goodell was questioned by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), who asked whether Goodell and the league are “willing to do more” to punish Snyder.

After initially asking whether he would recommend Snyder’s removal as owner of the Commanders, Tlaib followed up by asking Goodell: “Will you remove him?”

“I don’t have the authority to remove him, Congresswoman,” Goodell responded.

An NFL owner can be removed only by a three-quarters (so, 24 out of 32) majority vote of fellow owners, although Goodell does have the ability to officially recommend such a vote.

Gee, who knew. Aside from anyone who knows how search engines work.

Disciplinary Powers of Commissioner

8.13 (A) Whenever the Commissioner, after notice and hearing, decides that an owner, shareholder, partner or holder of an interest in a member club, or any player, coach, officer, director, or employee thereof, or an officer, employee or official of the League has either violated the Constitution and Bylaws of the League or has been or is guilty of conduct detrimental to the welfare of the League or professional football, then the Commissioner shall have complete authority to:

(1) Suspend and/or fine such person in an amount not in excess of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or in the case of an unrescinded unauthorized sale, transfer, or assignment of a membership or an interest therein to any person other than a member of the transferor’s immediate family in violation of Section 3.5 hereof, the greater of (i) five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), and (ii) an amount equal to 15% of the transaction value; and/or

(2) Cancel any contract or agreement of such person with the League or with any member thereof;

(3) In cases involving a violation of the prohibitions against tampering as set forth in Sections 9.1(C)(10) and (11), 9.2 and 12.1(B) hereof, award or transfer selection choices and/or deprive the offending club of a selection choice or choices; and

(4) In cases involving a violation affecting the competitive aspects of the game, award selection choices and/or deprive the offending club of a selection choice or choices and/or cancel any contract or agreement of such person with the League or with any member thereof and/or fine the offending club in an amount not in excess of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or in the case of an unrescinded unauthorized sale, transfer, or assignment of a membership or an interest therein to any person other than a member of the transferor’s immediate family in violation of Section 3.5 hereof, the greater of (i) five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), and (ii) an amount equal to 15% of the transaction value.

(B) Whenever the Commissioner determines that any punishment that the Commissioner has the power to impose pursuant to Section 8.13(A), is not adequate or sufficient, considering the nature and gravity of the offense involved, he may refer the matter to the Executive Committee, with a recommendation that all or any part of the following additional or increased punishments or discipline be imposed:

(1) Cancellation or forfeiture of the franchise in the League of any member club involved or implicated. If such occurs, the affected franchise shall be sold and disposed of under the provisions of Section 3.8(B) hereof;

(2) Cancellation or forfeiture of the interest in a member club or in the franchise thereof owned by a person involved or implicated therein. If such occurs, the interest held by any person so implicated shall be sold and disposed of under the provisions of Section 3.8(B) hereof;

(3) Declare one or more players of the offending club to be a free agent or that one or more players, and the contracts thereon held by the offending club, be assigned to another club or clubs;

(4) Assignment to another club or a nominee of the League of the lease on any stadium or playing field held for or owned by the defending club or any person owning any interest therein;

(5) Assignment to one or more clubs of players on the Selection or Reserve Lists of the offending club;

(6) Require the sale of any stock or interest in a member club of such offending person by the method and under the procedure specified in Section 3.8(B) hereof; and

(7) Make any other recommendation he deems appropriate.

The Executive Committee may impose such other or additional discipline or punishment as it may decide. Any such ruling or decision by the Commissioner under the circumstances referred to in this Section 8.13(B), after approval or ratification by the affirmative vote of no less than three-fourths or 24, whichever is greater, of the members of the League, as aforesaid, shall be final, conclusive, and unappealable.

The only thing more surprising than Rep. Tlaib’s knowledge shortcoming regarding the NFL is that she didn’t ask Goodell why, in the interest of fairness, he doesn’t mandate the Lions win next year’s Super Bowl.