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In a rare feat of bipartisanship, the U.S. Congress has passed a measure that guarantees one DVD of the 2016 film Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates to every American household.

‘We needed to act, and we did,’ Congressional leaders announced in a joint statement. ‘Americans drawn thin by a divisive political climate and an uncertain future can come together to enjoy this sweet-spirited and undemanding comedy.’

The film, produced by 20th Century Fox and featuring an ensemble cast led by Zac Efron and Anna Kendrick, was inspired by a Craigslist ad about two brothers looking for dates to their sister’s wedding in Hawaii. It received mixed reviews and was a moderate success for the studio.

In the wake of the new Congressional measure, which mandates the purchasing and distribution of a hundred and thirty-four million DVD copies, the film’s impact is projected to grow substantially. According to the bill’s sponsors, this was a driving force behind its adoption.

‘What’s so important about this bill for American working families is that it really does have some genuine laughs,’ said Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA), who introduced the bill. ‘It’s like you’re not thinking much of it going in, and that’s part of the reason why it actually ends up being surprisingly fun.’

Nunes was able to work across the aisle with Democrats who responded to the film’s foul-mouthed but big-hearted charm and surprisingly touching message about taking responsibility for one’s actions.

‘Again and again in deliberations we came back to the fact that, in this era of fierce division, we can still work together to accomplish something that will make a real difference in the lives of our constituents, and there really seems to be a genuine rapport between the leads that just kind of makes you want to like them, because they just seem to like each other so much, you know?’ said Stephen Lynch (D-MA), one of the bill’s co-sponsors.

‘I mean, I for one didn’t care much for Anna Kendrick before seeing this, and now I find myself looking forward to her new projects,’ Lynch added. (An amendment he put forward to add the 2018 Kendrick film A Simple Favor to the stimulus was outmaneuvered in committee.)

Other members of Congress who supported the measure have cited its lovably goofy dialogue, broad but character-based comic set pieces, and glamorous Hawaiian locale as additional motivating factors. A consensus was also reached that it had an authentically mellow vibe and didn’t ask for too much.

‘It’s just a fun movie, and we hope Americans will have fun with it,’ said Nunes in response to a question about the role of Congress. ‘If you don’t expect too much, I think you’ll end up having a pretty good time.’

​1/22/2019