Good news for Dems It appears that the party has close to the 60 votes needed to push the health care bill to a discussion in the chamber. Who knows if that’ll actually happen, but man, it’s fun to watch democracy in action.
The lone holdouts Among Democrats, the main people holding back the bill are Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Ben Nelson, the other wildcard, is favoring a discussion if not a vote. Source
We’re talking about one-sixth of the economy. This should be a very deliberative process. And it should take more than a month and a half.
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah • Discussing Republicans’ desire to stretch out the process of voting on the health care beyond the end-of-year deadline Obama wants. Hatch also says it’s unlikey any Republican senator will support it, which means that Harry Reid needs to get his boys on point if he wants 60 votes. • source
Anyone find it vaguely amusing that West Texas is so strongly Democratic? Anyway, The NYT’s graphical map of the vote breaks down by district how your rep voted. Joseph Cao is alone in his principles. And when you’re done with this graphic, here’s one specifically on Democrats who voted no. (The most surprising “no” vote? Dennis J. Kucinich, who argued that the bill didn’t go far enough.)source
A rare politician that doesn’t care about partisanship. Kudos. Joseph Cao may face harsh criticism from the right on his vote, but he’s fully behind it. On his site, he writes: “I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people.” The turning point for him? The amendment blocking federal funding of abortions with the health care bill. A loss for pro-choice advocates, but a huge win for health care supporters in general. source
House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer says probably. On the likely eve of the health care vote, Hoyer says they might be able to pull off the votes needed, although it will be very close and might be the result of a sleepless night or two, along with some convincing of on-the-fence members. Steny, just have Barney Frank talk to them. He’ll get them to change their minds. Either that, or he’ll call them a kitchen table. source
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