Virginia's Democratic-controlled state Senate passed measures Monday that would make it illegal to require individuals to purchase health insurance, a direct challenge to the party's efforts in Washington to reform health care.
The bills, a top priority of Virginia's "tea party" movement, were approved 23 to 17 as five Democrats who represent swing areas of the state joined all 18 Republicans in the chamber in backing the legislation.
The votes came less than a week after President Obama implored Democrats in Washington not to abandon their health-care efforts, urging them in his State of the Union address not to "run for the hills" on the issue.
But the action in Virginia, a state that backed Obama in 2008, could indicate that the president is failing to reassure members of his own party that current reform efforts remain worthwhile. The votes also suggest that Democrats on the state level fear that supporting health-care reform could be politically damaging, and their action could put pressure on members of the state's congressional delegation who have been behind the effort...
SOURCE: Washington Post
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sen.-elect Scott Brown seeks to be sworn in Thursday
US Senator-elect Scott Brown this afternoon sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin, requesting them to "certify without delay" the results of the Jan. 19 special election.
In a letter written by his legal counsel, Daniel B. Winslow, Brown said he wanted the results certified no later than 11 a.m. Thursday so that he can deliver a copy to the Secretary of the United States Senate in time to be administered the oath of office by Thursday afternoon.
Brown had initially planned to be sworn into office Feb. 11 but, Winslow wrote, “he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date. For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately.”
Galvin completed his certification of the official election results today, which now must be approved by the Governor’s Council, and then signed by Galvin and Patrick. The governor has been away from the State House this afternoon, with several events in Taunton, so the certification did not occur this afternoon.
Patrick is planning to certify the results tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., which would then allow Brown to travel to Washington for the swearing-in. Top officials in Washington could not be immediately reached for comment to see if they are prepared to conduct the ceremony tomorrow.
SOURCE: Boston Globe
In a letter written by his legal counsel, Daniel B. Winslow, Brown said he wanted the results certified no later than 11 a.m. Thursday so that he can deliver a copy to the Secretary of the United States Senate in time to be administered the oath of office by Thursday afternoon.
Brown had initially planned to be sworn into office Feb. 11 but, Winslow wrote, “he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date. For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately.”
Galvin completed his certification of the official election results today, which now must be approved by the Governor’s Council, and then signed by Galvin and Patrick. The governor has been away from the State House this afternoon, with several events in Taunton, so the certification did not occur this afternoon.
Patrick is planning to certify the results tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., which would then allow Brown to travel to Washington for the swearing-in. Top officials in Washington could not be immediately reached for comment to see if they are prepared to conduct the ceremony tomorrow.
SOURCE: Boston Globe
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