Feeling the Burn

(Fox News) - Democratic Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii is trying to flex some muscle in his effort to get the House gym redesigned and renovated. The Hill reports Abercrombie — who is a 69-year-old power-lifter — has run afoul of House leadership by refusing their orders to stop talking about the issue.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is said to be reluctant to spend money on the gym — and have to answer for it in the media and to constituents.

But the facility reportedly is old and cramped — and particularly unfriendly to women members — who have to cross through the men's locker room in order to use the cardiovascular equipment.

By contrast — House staffers have their own modern workout center, featuring equipment with individual flat-screen TV's hooked up to cable, a mirrored aerobics room and comfortable locker facilities.