We don't have to wait until we have a Republican in the White House to rid this nation of the shackles of Obamacare. We can do it next year if we win simple majorities in one or both houses of Congress.
The Obama health care bill was an authorization measure which established a program and set down its parameters. But authorization bills are not appropriations. Each year the Congress must act on appropriations for each department and agency in the government. If no funds are appropriated, nothing can be spent.
So if Republicans take the House (where appropriations have to originate) - and especially if they also take the Senate - they will have the capacity to zero fund Obamacare, appropriating not a dime for it in their spending bills. Indeed, they can and should include a specific amendment to their appropriations bills banning the expenditure of any of the funds on Obama's health care program...
SOURCE: Dick Morris
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Obama signs law finalizing health care, loan redo
Finalizing two major pieces of his agenda, President Barack Obama on Tuesday sealed his health care overhaul and made the government the primary lender to students by cutting banks out of the process.
Both domestic priorities came in one bill, pushed through by Democrats in the House and Senate and signed into law by a beaming president.
The new law makes a series of changes to the massive health insurance reform bill that he signed into law with even greater fanfare last week. Those fixes included removing some specials deals that had angered the public and providing more money for poorer and middle-income individuals and families to help them buy health insurance.
But during an appearance at a community college in suburban Virginia, he emphasized the overshadowed part of the bill: education.
In this final piece of health reform, Democrats added in a restructuring of the way the government handles loans affecting millions of students.
The law strips banks of their role as middlemen in federal student loans and puts the government in charge. The president said that change would save more than $60 billion over the next 10 years, which in turn would be used to boost Pell Grants for students and reinvest in community colleges.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Both domestic priorities came in one bill, pushed through by Democrats in the House and Senate and signed into law by a beaming president.
The new law makes a series of changes to the massive health insurance reform bill that he signed into law with even greater fanfare last week. Those fixes included removing some specials deals that had angered the public and providing more money for poorer and middle-income individuals and families to help them buy health insurance.
But during an appearance at a community college in suburban Virginia, he emphasized the overshadowed part of the bill: education.
In this final piece of health reform, Democrats added in a restructuring of the way the government handles loans affecting millions of students.
The law strips banks of their role as middlemen in federal student loans and puts the government in charge. The president said that change would save more than $60 billion over the next 10 years, which in turn would be used to boost Pell Grants for students and reinvest in community colleges.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Obama Signs Health Care Bill Today as GOP Challenges Constitutionality
President Obama signed the historic health care bill into law today, but Republicans are still fighting back with promises of lawsuits and heated rhetoric, including a shot from one GOP governor who blasted what he called Obama's "nanny nation approach" to government.
Republicans across the country are specifically challenging the mandate in the health care bill that requires every individual to have health insurance, charging that it is unconstitutional.
The individual mandate is an "unprecedented overreach by the federal government forcing individual citizens to buy a good or a service for no other reason then they happen to be alive or a person," Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty said today on "Good Morning America."
Pawlenty said he sent a letter to Minnesota's Democratic attorney general arguing against the constitutionality of the mandate.
"They've taken it to this big, federalized, bureaucratic, government-run, kind of nanny nation approach," Pawlenty said. "I don't think defending the Constitution and individual's rights under the Constitution, and the relationship between states and the federal government under the Constitution is a frivolous matter."
SOURCE: ABC News
Republicans across the country are specifically challenging the mandate in the health care bill that requires every individual to have health insurance, charging that it is unconstitutional.
The individual mandate is an "unprecedented overreach by the federal government forcing individual citizens to buy a good or a service for no other reason then they happen to be alive or a person," Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty said today on "Good Morning America."
Pawlenty said he sent a letter to Minnesota's Democratic attorney general arguing against the constitutionality of the mandate.
"They've taken it to this big, federalized, bureaucratic, government-run, kind of nanny nation approach," Pawlenty said. "I don't think defending the Constitution and individual's rights under the Constitution, and the relationship between states and the federal government under the Constitution is a frivolous matter."
SOURCE: ABC News
Monday, March 22, 2010
Obama to sign health-care bill into law Tuesday
President Obama will sign landmark health-care legislation into law Tuesday at the White House without waiting for the Senate to deal with a package of revisions that was also approved by the House late Sunday, administration officials said.
Officials unveiled the plan to use a White House signing ceremony to showcase the benefits of the health-care overhaul after a divided House passed the Senate-approved bill and the separate revisions, known as a reconciliation bill, in a marathon Sunday session that culminated more than a year of political recriminations over Obama's signature domestic initiative. By a 219-212 vote, the House approved the Senate bill, handing Democrats a historic victory in a long-running battle to reform the nation's $2.5 trillion health-care system. The vote for the reconciliation bill was 220-211. No Republican voted for either measure.
The Senate will begin work on the House-passed revisions as soon as Obama signs the broader legislation, said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). The debate will be limited to 20 hours and likely will end early Thursday, Manley said. Then begins a series of votes on amendments, a process with no time limit but that allows for just one minute between votes.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Officials unveiled the plan to use a White House signing ceremony to showcase the benefits of the health-care overhaul after a divided House passed the Senate-approved bill and the separate revisions, known as a reconciliation bill, in a marathon Sunday session that culminated more than a year of political recriminations over Obama's signature domestic initiative. By a 219-212 vote, the House approved the Senate bill, handing Democrats a historic victory in a long-running battle to reform the nation's $2.5 trillion health-care system. The vote for the reconciliation bill was 220-211. No Republican voted for either measure.
The Senate will begin work on the House-passed revisions as soon as Obama signs the broader legislation, said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). The debate will be limited to 20 hours and likely will end early Thursday, Manley said. Then begins a series of votes on amendments, a process with no time limit but that allows for just one minute between votes.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Health Care Bill Passed the House, But Battles Ahead in Senate, Court
Democrats in the House pulled off a narrow but significant victory Sunday night, passing the Senate's comprehensive health care bill, as well as a reconciliation "fix it" bill. But the legislative, political and legal battles over the bill aren't over.
The Senate bill is primed to become law once President Obama signs it, but the Senate must still pass the reconciliation bill that will alter the main bill in order for Democrats' work on health care to be over. Among other things, the bill would strip the Senate bill of politically-toxic provisions like the so-called "Cornhusker Kickback."
Republicans, however, plan to obstruct the process every way they know how, from offering hundreds of amendments to challenging whether elements of the bill are allowed under the rules of the special process of reconciliation. For anyone who may have expected Republicans to give up their opposition after last night's vote, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, made it clear yesterday passing the reconciliation bill would be a battle...
SOURCE: CBS News
The Senate bill is primed to become law once President Obama signs it, but the Senate must still pass the reconciliation bill that will alter the main bill in order for Democrats' work on health care to be over. Among other things, the bill would strip the Senate bill of politically-toxic provisions like the so-called "Cornhusker Kickback."
Republicans, however, plan to obstruct the process every way they know how, from offering hundreds of amendments to challenging whether elements of the bill are allowed under the rules of the special process of reconciliation. For anyone who may have expected Republicans to give up their opposition after last night's vote, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, made it clear yesterday passing the reconciliation bill would be a battle...
SOURCE: CBS News
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Stupak Gang Caves
BREAKING: House Democrats have picked up critical health reform “yes” votes from a group of anti-abortion lawmakers, including Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak, according to senior Democratic aides. Democrats believe a breakthrough with Stupak's group - based on the promise of an executive order to be issued by President Barack Obama reinforcing a ban on federal funding for abortion - will help give them the 216-vote majority needed to pass reform on Sunday. (1:05 p.m.)
SOURCE: Politico44
***UPDATE***
Stuart Varney reports on Fox Business Channel that Stupak is still a NO vote.
***UPDATE***
Stupak holds press conference: "We have an agreement."
SOURCE: Politico44
***UPDATE***
Stuart Varney reports on Fox Business Channel that Stupak is still a NO vote.
***UPDATE***
Stupak holds press conference: "We have an agreement."
Kaptur to vote for health-care reform
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), a key holdout on health care because of her concern over abortion language in the Democratic proposal, announced on a Toledo television station this morning that she would vote for the legislation.
The conversion represents a major coup for President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggesting Democratic leaders may be on the verge of converting a crucial bloc of holdouts -- Catholic lawmakers who oppose abortion rights -- as they scour the Democratic caucus for the 216 votes needed for passage.
Pelosi and Obama's White House team have held frantic, last-minute talks with Kaptur and about a half-dozen other Democrats who believe the Senate bill, expected to come before the House this evening, could allow people who receive federal subsidies for health insurance to purchase policies that cover abortion procedures.
But Kaptur said she is now confident that the administration would take the necessary steps to preserve the current ban on federal funding of abortion.
"We received assurances last night that we would work with the administration and Secretary Sebelius and the president to ensure that existing law is maintained," Kaptur told WTVG in an interview. "Not to change it in any way, but to make sure it applies to this bill."
Kaptur said she also considered the broader problem of rising health-care premiums in deciding to support the bill. "The bill overall addresses a serious problem before the country today," Kaptur said.
SOURCE: Washington Post
The conversion represents a major coup for President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggesting Democratic leaders may be on the verge of converting a crucial bloc of holdouts -- Catholic lawmakers who oppose abortion rights -- as they scour the Democratic caucus for the 216 votes needed for passage.
Pelosi and Obama's White House team have held frantic, last-minute talks with Kaptur and about a half-dozen other Democrats who believe the Senate bill, expected to come before the House this evening, could allow people who receive federal subsidies for health insurance to purchase policies that cover abortion procedures.
But Kaptur said she is now confident that the administration would take the necessary steps to preserve the current ban on federal funding of abortion.
"We received assurances last night that we would work with the administration and Secretary Sebelius and the president to ensure that existing law is maintained," Kaptur told WTVG in an interview. "Not to change it in any way, but to make sure it applies to this bill."
Kaptur said she also considered the broader problem of rising health-care premiums in deciding to support the bill. "The bill overall addresses a serious problem before the country today," Kaptur said.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Health Care Schedule for Today
This is it. The Super Bowl of health care. Democrats will try to force through their health care overhaul plan.
Via Dan Foster at NRO, here's how it'll go down:
Not that this is set in stone; rumor is that the more off-schedule the Dems get, the more hesitant that they are that they have the votes. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. As we've seen, they're desperate, and ready to do anything and everything to get the necessary votes needed on board.
This is make or break. If you haven't called or e-mailed vulnerable Representatives yet, this is your day to do so. If you must, threaten to contribute to a vulnerable Congressman's electoral opponent. Money talks like nothing else.
SOURCE: Town Hall
Via Dan Foster at NRO, here's how it'll go down:
- 2 p.m.: The House will debate for one hour the rules of debate for the reconciliation bill and the Senate bill.
- 3 p.m.: The House will vote to end debate and vote on the rules of the debate.
- 3:15 p.m.: The House will debate the reconciliation package for two hours.
- 5:15 p.m.: The House will vote on the reconciliation package.
- 5:30 p.m.: The House will debate for 15 minutes on a Republican substitute and then vote on the substitute.
- 6 p.m.: The House will vote on the final reconciliation package.
- 6:15 p.m.: If the reconciliation bill passes, the House will immediately vote on the Senate bill, without debate.
Not that this is set in stone; rumor is that the more off-schedule the Dems get, the more hesitant that they are that they have the votes. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. As we've seen, they're desperate, and ready to do anything and everything to get the necessary votes needed on board.
This is make or break. If you haven't called or e-mailed vulnerable Representatives yet, this is your day to do so. If you must, threaten to contribute to a vulnerable Congressman's electoral opponent. Money talks like nothing else.
SOURCE: Town Hall
Saturday, March 20, 2010
House leaders plan separate health vote, rejecting 'deem and pass'
Democrats edged closer to finding 216 lawmakers to back a landmark health-care bill Saturday, as party leaders and White House officials were working on an executive order that they hope will win over a substantial number of antiabortion Democrats.
The House Rules Committee continued its session on the third floor of the Capitol, where the panel is tasked with setting the terms of Sunday's floor debate. House leaders have decided to take a separate vote on the Senate version of the health care bill, rejecting an earlier, much-criticized strategy that would have permitted them to "deem" the measure passed without an explicit vote.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the House will take three votes on Sunday: first, on a resolution that will set the terms of debate; second, on a package of amendments to the Senate bill that have been demanded by House members; and third, on the Senate bill itself...
SOURCE: Washington Post
The House Rules Committee continued its session on the third floor of the Capitol, where the panel is tasked with setting the terms of Sunday's floor debate. House leaders have decided to take a separate vote on the Senate version of the health care bill, rejecting an earlier, much-criticized strategy that would have permitted them to "deem" the measure passed without an explicit vote.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the House will take three votes on Sunday: first, on a resolution that will set the terms of debate; second, on a package of amendments to the Senate bill that have been demanded by House members; and third, on the Senate bill itself...
SOURCE: Washington Post
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Projections from the House's "deem to pass" roll call
The House voted this afternoon by a 222-203 margin to pass the “Slaughter solution” rule authorizing a single vote on the Senate health care bill which the House leadership wants to send to the president for signature plus the reconciliation health measure the House leadership wants to send to the Senate.
This victory for the Democratic leadership makes it appear that they are on the verge of rounding up the required 216 vote-majority (of the current 431 House members, 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans). But the House leadership, of either party, almost always wins rule votes.
An analysis of the votes cast for and against the rule, together with an examination of members’ public statements and political situations, suggests that the House leadership is still significantly short of 216 votes on final passage, and that opponents of the view have a reservoir of potential noes from more than the 38 Democrats needed to defeat the measure.
SOURCE: Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
This victory for the Democratic leadership makes it appear that they are on the verge of rounding up the required 216 vote-majority (of the current 431 House members, 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans). But the House leadership, of either party, almost always wins rule votes.
An analysis of the votes cast for and against the rule, together with an examination of members’ public statements and political situations, suggests that the House leadership is still significantly short of 216 votes on final passage, and that opponents of the view have a reservoir of potential noes from more than the 38 Democrats needed to defeat the measure.
SOURCE: Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
Dems sweeten health bill, set showdown Sunday vote
Historic health care change in the balance, Democrats plowed fresh billions into insurance subsidies for consumers on Thursday and added a $250 rebate for seniors facing high prescription drugs, last-minute sweeteners to sweeping $940 billion legislation headed for a climactic weekend vote.
President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats.
"It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation," predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill — 16 tumultuous months in the making — meant to expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.
The health care portions of the bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.
SOURCE: Associate Press > Yahoo News
President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats.
"It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation," predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill — 16 tumultuous months in the making — meant to expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.
The health care portions of the bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.
SOURCE: Associate Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
House Rules Precedents
Democrats are giving more signals today that they plan to avoid a direct vote in the House on a Senate passed health care bill. The following historical rundown was sent to reporters this morning about the parliamentary precedents involved.
Not to get too technical, but the basics here are that the House would use a "self-executing" rule to automatically approve the Senate health bill, which is actually a Senate Amendment to the bill H.R. 3590.
As you will see in the document below, Democrats argue this type of treatment for a Senate Amendment to a House bill is not a new procedure, and that it has been used by both parties over the years (the first time in 1933).
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Not to get too technical, but the basics here are that the House would use a "self-executing" rule to automatically approve the Senate health bill, which is actually a Senate Amendment to the bill H.R. 3590.
As you will see in the document below, Democrats argue this type of treatment for a Senate Amendment to a House bill is not a new procedure, and that it has been used by both parties over the years (the first time in 1933).
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
All sides playing hardball on health care bill
With time and tempers short, everyone's playing hardball in the drive to pass — or stop — President Barack Obama's massive health care legislation by the weekend.
Business groups are spending $1 million a day to depict the bill as a job killer in television ads in the home districts of 26 wavering House Democrats. A new ad barrage from supporters of the legislation went up Tuesday in 11 districts, some overlapping. And unions are threatening some of those lawmakers to come through for Obama — or pay the price in the fall elections.
Obama has summoned members to the White House one by one for private, face-to-face persuasion, and also met larger groups. White House aides said he plans at least one more public health care event this week, including remarks in Fairfax, Va., on Friday. Diverse administration resources are being employed: Even the Navy secretary is in the game.
"We here in Congress are giving a new meaning to March madness," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, an opponent of the legislation, said Tuesday.
At stake is a bill that would cover some 30 million uninsured people, end insurance practices such as denying coverage to those with a pre-existing conditions, require almost all Americans to get coverage by law and try to slow the cost of medical care nationwide. The comprehensive legislation could affect nearly every American, from those undergoing annual checkups to people facing major surgery.
Activists on both ends of the political spectrum are energized. Tea party volunteers, who rallied Tuesday in Washington, are planning to flood congressional offices with e-mails opposing the legislation as a step toward socialism. And some on the political left have joined in calling for the bill's defeat because it leaves out a federal insurance option.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Business groups are spending $1 million a day to depict the bill as a job killer in television ads in the home districts of 26 wavering House Democrats. A new ad barrage from supporters of the legislation went up Tuesday in 11 districts, some overlapping. And unions are threatening some of those lawmakers to come through for Obama — or pay the price in the fall elections.
Obama has summoned members to the White House one by one for private, face-to-face persuasion, and also met larger groups. White House aides said he plans at least one more public health care event this week, including remarks in Fairfax, Va., on Friday. Diverse administration resources are being employed: Even the Navy secretary is in the game.
"We here in Congress are giving a new meaning to March madness," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, an opponent of the legislation, said Tuesday.
At stake is a bill that would cover some 30 million uninsured people, end insurance practices such as denying coverage to those with a pre-existing conditions, require almost all Americans to get coverage by law and try to slow the cost of medical care nationwide. The comprehensive legislation could affect nearly every American, from those undergoing annual checkups to people facing major surgery.
Activists on both ends of the political spectrum are energized. Tea party volunteers, who rallied Tuesday in Washington, are planning to flood congressional offices with e-mails opposing the legislation as a step toward socialism. And some on the political left have joined in calling for the bill's defeat because it leaves out a federal insurance option.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Monday, March 15, 2010
New Health Bill, Part 2
Things suddenly got busy on Sunday night with the release of the legislative language of a health care reconciliation bill from Democrats. But after 90 minutes of full throttle evaluation of the 2,309 page measure, it's clear this is just Step 1 of Health Care Hell Week.
In other words, this is not the "real" bill but rather it is just a placeholder, a "shell" bill that allows the House Budget Committee to begin work on the health care matter today.
The real decisions will be made in coming days by Democrats, with new language and provisions then added by the House Rules Committee.
For example, there is no mention in this new Reconciliation language of the excise tax on high cost, "Cadillac" health care plans.
President Obama made clear he wanted that language in the Senate bill changed, so obviously, those provisions still have to be unveiled and placed in this bill.
There is no mention of the annual fee that the Senate bill had on medical device manufacturers and health insurance providers. That is still part of revenue plans envisioned by Democrats.
Another example, the word "abortion" does not appear in the new reconciliation language, which you can find on the website of the House Budget Committee at http://is.gd/aF99v .
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
In other words, this is not the "real" bill but rather it is just a placeholder, a "shell" bill that allows the House Budget Committee to begin work on the health care matter today.
The real decisions will be made in coming days by Democrats, with new language and provisions then added by the House Rules Committee.
For example, there is no mention in this new Reconciliation language of the excise tax on high cost, "Cadillac" health care plans.
President Obama made clear he wanted that language in the Senate bill changed, so obviously, those provisions still have to be unveiled and placed in this bill.
There is no mention of the annual fee that the Senate bill had on medical device manufacturers and health insurance providers. That is still part of revenue plans envisioned by Democrats.
Another example, the word "abortion" does not appear in the new reconciliation language, which you can find on the website of the House Budget Committee at http://is.gd/aF99v .
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Pelosi confident House will pass health care bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday she's confident the House will pass health care legislation and dismissed Republican criticism that she did not have enough votes for the measure.
"We're very excited about where we are and will not be deterred by estimates that have no basis in fact," she said during a dedication of the renamed Lim P. Lee Post Office in San Francisco. The post office was renamed after the nation's first Chinese-American postmaster.
Pelosi declined to say when House members would vote on a health care bill, or how many votes that she had secured. Although she added that lawmakers were "on the verge of making history."
She also dismissed criticism by House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio that she did not have sufficient votes.
"I'm never dependent on Congressman Boehner's count. I never have," she said to a smattering of laughter from the crowd.
House Democratic leaders are pressing for a vote on their bill as early as this coming week.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"We're very excited about where we are and will not be deterred by estimates that have no basis in fact," she said during a dedication of the renamed Lim P. Lee Post Office in San Francisco. The post office was renamed after the nation's first Chinese-American postmaster.
Pelosi declined to say when House members would vote on a health care bill, or how many votes that she had secured. Although she added that lawmakers were "on the verge of making history."
She also dismissed criticism by House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio that she did not have sufficient votes.
"I'm never dependent on Congressman Boehner's count. I never have," she said to a smattering of laughter from the crowd.
House Democratic leaders are pressing for a vote on their bill as early as this coming week.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Saturday, March 13, 2010
House Democrats appear set to pass Senate bill without voting on it
Here’s the reason Democrats are using such a complicated procedure: many in the House completely do not trust the Senate to pass fixes to the bill passed by the Senate in December. But according to the rules of reconciliation, the House must go first in passing the Senate bill and passing a reconciliation fix.
So House Democrats have been searching for a way to alleviate members’ concerns that if they vote for the Senate bill and the Senate does nothing to fix it, they will be hung out to dry as having supported a piece of legislation that many across the country dislike, either for spending reasons, or because of special provisions like the extra money for Nebraska’s Medicaid population (the “Cornhusker kickback”).
Technically, using the “Slaughter solution,” they’ll never have voted for the bill they find odious, even if their vote on the reconciliation legislation will have been the vote that passed the Senate bill into law.
SOURCE: The Daily Caller
So House Democrats have been searching for a way to alleviate members’ concerns that if they vote for the Senate bill and the Senate does nothing to fix it, they will be hung out to dry as having supported a piece of legislation that many across the country dislike, either for spending reasons, or because of special provisions like the extra money for Nebraska’s Medicaid population (the “Cornhusker kickback”).
Technically, using the “Slaughter solution,” they’ll never have voted for the bill they find odious, even if their vote on the reconciliation legislation will have been the vote that passed the Senate bill into law.
SOURCE: The Daily Caller
Dems seek agreement, quick vote on health care
Under White House pressure to act swiftly, House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand.
"It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.
At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that has spawned a yearlong struggle. They announced he would make a campaign-style appearance in Ohio next week to pitch his health care proposals, as well as delay his departure for an Asian trip later in the month.
With Democrats deciding to incorporate changes in student aid into the bill, Republicans suddenly had a new reason to oppose legislation they have long sought to scuttle.
"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business."
He said it was symptomatic of Democrats' determination to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything."
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
"It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.
At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that has spawned a yearlong struggle. They announced he would make a campaign-style appearance in Ohio next week to pitch his health care proposals, as well as delay his departure for an Asian trip later in the month.
With Democrats deciding to incorporate changes in student aid into the bill, Republicans suddenly had a new reason to oppose legislation they have long sought to scuttle.
"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business."
He said it was symptomatic of Democrats' determination to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything."
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
Friday, March 12, 2010
House panel to consider healthcare bill Monday
The House of Representatives Budget Committee on Monday will consider a reconciliation bill that Democrats hope clears the way for final congressional approval of an overhaul of U.S. healthcare, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said on Friday.
Representative Jim Clyburn, a member of the House Democratic leadership, said he hopes a vote by the full chamber could be held on the measure within the next 10 days.
The White House announced earlier on Friday that President Barack Obama has postponed a trip to Asia so that he could stay in Washington and help fellow Democrats get healthcare across the finish line.
Obama has pushed hard for a final vote on the healthcare overhaul, a top domestic priority, which has ignited a long-running political brawl with Republicans and consumed Congress for the last nine months.
The reconciliation bill is aimed at resolving concerns of House Democrats with an earlier Senate-passed healthcare bill.
Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner said: "People are becoming more confident that we are going to get this done."
The Democrat members on the House Budget Committee:
1. John M. Spratt, Jr., SC, Chairman
2. Allyson Y. Schwartz, PA, Vice Chair
3. Marcy Kaptur, OH
4. Xavier Becerra, CA
5. Lloyd Doggett, TX
6. Earl Blumenauer, OR
7. Marion Berry, AR
8. Allen Boyd, FL
9. James P. McGovern, MA
10. Niki Tsongas, MA
11. Bob Etheridge, NC
12. Betty McCollum, MN
13. John Yarmuth, KY
14. Rob Andrews, NJ
15. Rosa DeLauro, CT
16. Chet Edwards, TX
17. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, VA
18. Jim Langevin, RI
19. Rick Larsen, WA
20. Tim Bishop, NY
21. Gwen Moore, WI
22. Gerald Connolly, VA
23. Kurt Schrader, OR
24. Dennis Moore, KS
The Republican members on the House Budget Committee:
1. Paul Ryan, WI Ranking Member
2. Jeb Hensarling, TX Vice Ranking Member
3. Scott Garrett, NJ
4. Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
5. Michael K. Simpson, ID
6. Patrick T. McHenry, NC
7. Connie Mack, FL
8. John Campbell, CA
9. Jim Jordan, OH
10. Cynthia M. Lummis, WY
11. Steve Austria, OH
12. Robert B. Aderholt, AL
13. Devin Nunes, CA
14. Gregg Harper, MS
15. Robert E. Latta, OH
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Representative Jim Clyburn, a member of the House Democratic leadership, said he hopes a vote by the full chamber could be held on the measure within the next 10 days.
The White House announced earlier on Friday that President Barack Obama has postponed a trip to Asia so that he could stay in Washington and help fellow Democrats get healthcare across the finish line.
Obama has pushed hard for a final vote on the healthcare overhaul, a top domestic priority, which has ignited a long-running political brawl with Republicans and consumed Congress for the last nine months.
The reconciliation bill is aimed at resolving concerns of House Democrats with an earlier Senate-passed healthcare bill.
Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner said: "People are becoming more confident that we are going to get this done."
The Democrat members on the House Budget Committee:
1. John M. Spratt, Jr., SC, Chairman
2. Allyson Y. Schwartz, PA, Vice Chair
3. Marcy Kaptur, OH
4. Xavier Becerra, CA
5. Lloyd Doggett, TX
6. Earl Blumenauer, OR
7. Marion Berry, AR
8. Allen Boyd, FL
9. James P. McGovern, MA
10. Niki Tsongas, MA
11. Bob Etheridge, NC
12. Betty McCollum, MN
13. John Yarmuth, KY
14. Rob Andrews, NJ
15. Rosa DeLauro, CT
16. Chet Edwards, TX
17. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, VA
18. Jim Langevin, RI
19. Rick Larsen, WA
20. Tim Bishop, NY
21. Gwen Moore, WI
22. Gerald Connolly, VA
23. Kurt Schrader, OR
24. Dennis Moore, KS
The Republican members on the House Budget Committee:
1. Paul Ryan, WI Ranking Member
2. Jeb Hensarling, TX Vice Ranking Member
3. Scott Garrett, NJ
4. Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
5. Michael K. Simpson, ID
6. Patrick T. McHenry, NC
7. Connie Mack, FL
8. John Campbell, CA
9. Jim Jordan, OH
10. Cynthia M. Lummis, WY
11. Steve Austria, OH
12. Robert B. Aderholt, AL
13. Devin Nunes, CA
14. Gregg Harper, MS
15. Robert E. Latta, OH
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Democrats, White House close in on health bill
House and Senate Democrats are working on a complex rescue mission for the health care legislation, which appeared on the cusp of passage late last year before Senate Republicans gained the strength to sustain a filibuster that could prevent final passage. The White House is pushing for a vote by the House before Obama leaves on a foreign trip at the end of next week.
The current plan is for the House to approve the Senate-passed bill from late last year, despite serious objections to numerous provisions. Both houses then would pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. The second bill would be debated under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning it could clear by majority vote in the Senate without Democrats needing the 60-vote supermajority now beyond their reach.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Tulsa World
The current plan is for the House to approve the Senate-passed bill from late last year, despite serious objections to numerous provisions. Both houses then would pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. The second bill would be debated under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning it could clear by majority vote in the Senate without Democrats needing the 60-vote supermajority now beyond their reach.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Tulsa World
The Slaughter Solution
Would House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow House Democratic leaders try to cram the Senate version of Obamacare through the House without actually having a recorded vote on the bill?
Not only is the answer yes, they would, they have figured out a way to do it, according to National Journal's Congress Daily:
Each bill that comes before the House for a vote on final passage must be given a rule that determines things like whether the minority would be able to offer amendments to it from the floor.
In the Slaughter Solution, the rule would declare that the House "deems" the Senate version of Obamacare to have been passed by the House. House members would still have to vote on whether to accept the rule, but they would then be able to say they only voted for a rule, not for the bill itself.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Not only is the answer yes, they would, they have figured out a way to do it, according to National Journal's Congress Daily:
"House Rules Chairwoman Louise Slaughter is prepping to help usher the healthcare overhaul through the House and potentially avoid a direct vote on the Senate overhaul bill, the chairwoman said Tuesday.
"Slaughter is weighing preparing a rule that would consider the Senate bill passed once the House approves a corrections bill that would make changes to the Senate version.
"Slaughter has not taken the plan to Speaker Pelosi as Democrats await CBO scores on the corrections bill. 'Once the CBO gives us the score, we'll spring right on it,' she said."
Each bill that comes before the House for a vote on final passage must be given a rule that determines things like whether the minority would be able to offer amendments to it from the floor.
In the Slaughter Solution, the rule would declare that the House "deems" the Senate version of Obamacare to have been passed by the House. House members would still have to vote on whether to accept the rule, but they would then be able to say they only voted for a rule, not for the bill itself.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
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