"New Rule Would Ban Imports of Burmese Pythons, Eight Other Snakes"

"As one of Congress' top experts on spending issues, Washington state Rep. Norm Dicks keeps an eye on the public purse, and he says that Burmese pythons just cost taxpayers way too much money."

"As the snakes multiply and spread, Dicks says, the federal government must spend millions of dollars each year to try to control them. Moreover, he says, the giant, fast-growing snakes jeopardize public safety and threaten the government's huge investment in restoring Florida's Everglades."

Rob Hotakainen reports for McClatchy Newspapers January 13, 2012.