Congress: Bill to hit floor on Monday?

Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

"Senate Democratic leaders expect their long-awaited healthcare bill to hit the chamber floor as early as Monday," The Hill writes. "The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expected to finish its cost analysis of the Senate bill by the end of this week or early next. Senior aides and senators say Democrats plan to pivot quickly and file the first procedural vote as early as Monday."

"Senate Democratic leaders are still pushing to bring up their health care reform bill next week, even though the gambit comes with risks as they race against the clock to get a measure passed before the end of the year," Roll Call says.

Chuck Schumer predicted it would get done by the end of the year. "Democrats realize that failure is worse for the country -- and worse for us," Schumer said at a Daily News Editorial Board meeting. "I think from the most conservative to the most liberal Democrat, they believe that. The President, in the last month, will be very heavily involved."

Progressive blogger Jane Hamsher fired off this statement regarding the public option: “It was a huge victory that a month after the Public Option was proclaimed dead, it was included in the House bill. We staked out our markers on June 23: that the public option would be available when the plan went into effect, that it would be available nationwide, and that there would no triggers. We got that, against all odds… We expect progressives to live up to their commitment to vote against any bill that does not have a public option, and that means no triggers or opt-outs. If Congress wants to send a bill back to conference that violates the pledge they took, we'll hold them to their commitment to kill it.”

In a Newsweek essay, Sen. (and Vietnam vet) John Kerry stresses the need for an alternate strategy to Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s recommendation for a large-scale troop increase. He warns of adhering to the same rationale of some Vietnam “revisionists” who believe “we could have won ‘if only’ Congress had not balked at the military’s insatiable hunger for more troops and more bombing… In the case of Afghanistan, politics has reduced a difficult mission in a complex country to a simple, headline-ready 'yes or no' on troop numbers. What we need is a realistic assessment of our strategy, military and civilian combined.”

"Prosecutors want a sentence of at least 27 years for a Democrat convicted of accepting more than $400,000 in bribes while in office. A federal court found 18-year Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) guilty this past August on 11 counts of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering."

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Comments

I've never seen a political party, with a super-majority in both houses of congress, have so much trouble passing a bill!
Have you?

WE NOMINATED & ELECTED THE WRONG DEMOCRAT (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:23 AM)

The party of 'NO' will vote the only way they have ever voted, NO- to everthing except tax cuts for the wealthy and support for the big corporations, and to knock down unions. The Dems have their work cut out for them, but i know they will prevail.

gepa (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:24 AM)

Too much momentum to stop now - keep holding your breath Repubs, cuz the wind is about to be knocked out fo your sails - 2010 - looking brighter and brighter

Saint Dick, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:24 AM)

"Democrats realize that failure is worse for the country -- and worse for us," Schumer said
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Because it's all about the Dems, right Chuck? Ugh. He should have just stopped at 'for the country'.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

The Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:25 AM)

<<< Chuck Schumer predicted it would get done by the end of the year. >>>

Chuck Schumer predicted it would get done mid-summer, August 1st, Labor Day, September 15th, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, . . . ., and now, the end of the year.

Sure Chuckie, whatever you say.

Trendy Barnes (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:58 AM)

If you would like to help pressure your Senators to pass single payer health care please join our voting bloc: http://www.votingbloc.org/Health_Bloc.php

Sam (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:05 AM)

Jefferson should get the same punishmnent that Alaska's Ted Stevens got. What was that again ...nothing?

Smerdyakov (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:07 AM)

The american people don't care one iota that this is President Obama's "signature legislation". We know his ego is immense and he wants credit for this. But we want what's right for us and the country...NOT what puffs up someone's ego. Current health care legislation is way over-reaching, offends our morals, costs too much, and makes government a bigger monster than it already is. Reject it and let's start with real ideas and move forward....

We the people (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:19 AM)

time to get er done! Vote for this bill, leave the congressional bill alone and just vote on it in the senate, do you realize how fast unemployment would reduce if you allowed workers 55-65 to purchase insurance at a reasonable rate? That is what keeps most of us in our jobs these days and when we retire the companies get to replace us for less money. It is a win win for everybody, the retiree gets to retire before they are totally worn out, therefore we feel like spending some of that hard saved cash, the unemployed get jobs, and the companies save money on salaries. So US Senators, do your job, represent the working men and women of this nation and leave the health insurance lobby in the parking lot.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:22 AM)

We must get health insurance reform period. The sooner the better. The status quo is not good enough any more. It is imperitive that this passes in some form. Those obstructing it or in any way causing it to die will feel the wrath of the American people come election day. We may not be happy with the bill in its entirety but unless we are in the pockets of the insurance industry or big pharmaseuticals we must get this done. Universal healthcare was brought up during the TRUMAN administration. How much longer must Americans go without affordable healthcare? We must finally come up with a plan that will actually lower the cost of medical insurance for consumers.

There are going to be things in this, like any major bill, that one won't like and some things one will like. That is called compromise and is the result of something called democracy. I know that this is hard for some to understand given the last Administrations perchant for all things dictitorial.

If Rep. Jefferson is, in fact, guilty as charged than 27 years may well be an appropriate sentence. This sort of behavior should not be tollerated no matter what their party affiliation is.

With the troop build up in Afhanistan Obama should demand results by a particular date or begin a total withdrawal. McCrystal says he needs troops. Fine, give him the troops and if they don't accomplish a set of goals than bring them home. We don't want to suffer the same fate as the USSR did in that country.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:25 AM)

Why not he is a good politician and no-offense but that Baucus Bill was a Hillary mark up yet he knows people who are hiding apperance flaws against President Obama because he was from soem of those States that have a Congress person in Washington.Besides the mishap President Clinton was a great President and his budget showed it until President Bush got in so if are other Demorcratic member's want to sabatoge this bill he will know who are the leader's and money cannot be used as a tool anymore for we have seen a wasste of money for overe 8 years.

Ivoted (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:27 AM)

How can we possibly talk of providing healthcare for all, and containing the costs of the healthcare, without looking at diet? What we eat is as much responsible for the ever increasing costs of healthcare as any other single factor. As we move forward paying for more and more of the healthcare costs with our taxes (whether HRC passes or not) we will need to get a handle on this problem. To see the expediential evolution of this problem check this out. http://www.bullz-eye.com/furci/2009/unhealthy_american_pt1.htm My question is simple, if we know what is bad for diet why doesn’t the government do something about it? It is obvious just looking at the obesity in America some folks are unable to make good choices on their own. When it comes to alcohol and tobacco we help them. When it comes to sugar, salt, fat, and cholesterol, we just help them shovel it down. Just look at the average convenient store, truth be told the snack isle is very similar to the poison isle at Home Depot. There is one thing missing, and that’s what I wanted to talk about, at Home Depot there are warning labels on the insecticides. Why are there Surgeon General Warnings on alcohol and tobacco but none on foods high in sugar, salt, fat and cholesterol? I do believe more people die from heart attacks than lung cancer. Do we honestly not think that eating these foods increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and a whole lot of other diseases? Why haven’t our leaders demanded these warnings? Do they not care about the health of our citizenry? Do they not care about healthcare costs? 2000 pages and no requirement for Surgeon General Warnings, well hopefully we can get that out of committee. It is time to evolve.

Judas Goat (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:08 AM)

Fired up, ready to go. Lets get this done. Pass Healthcare reform now. Get it on the floor on Monday so we can get on with other things that need to be done, like focusing more heavily on Job creation and come up with some good ideas to get that done. We see good signs of the economy turning around, so jobs will come its just a matter of time.

Bob, Lyons OR (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:34 AM)

Just joint the voting bloc Sam.

Mo (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:11 PM)

"The party of 'NO' will vote the only way they have ever voted, NO- to everthing except tax cuts for the wealthy and support for the big corporations, and to knock down unions. The Dems have their work cut out for them, but i know they will prevail."
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What party is that because you sure don't need the Republicans.....and they do have their work cut out for them trying to persuade their team mates to play by their rules.

brazen brunette SC PA (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:14 PM)

It's rather moronic to carp about what Bush spent and ignore Obama spending 3 times that. All because you want the government to do for you what you're either too fat, too stupid, or too lazy to do for yourself. What a country this will be when we're all at home, being ignorant and lazy while government flushes the country down the toilet.

kenva51 (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:27 PM)

WE MUST GET THIS BILL PASSED AND FOR ALL THOSE SENATORS AGAINST THIS BILL. HAVE THEM GIVE UP THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE AND HAVE A PRE EXISTING CONDITION AND TRY TO GET INSURANCE. WE WOULD THEN SEE HOW FAST THEY WOULD BE WORKING TO PASS THIS BILL. WHAT DO THEY CARE THEY ALL HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE .

CRAIG MERRICK NY (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:43 PM)

I predict the bill will be passed through reconciliation. It is time to say NO to the party of NO. NO, Repubs, get out of our face, you are the minority, now suck it up. Once this bill passes, and people get real afforable, no string attached healthcare, then they will see the true motives of the republican party.

Kevin, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 1:14 PM)

I want health care to pass but not at the expense of the Ameican people whil politicians vote as to whats going to get them elected...I want a one on one with my rep to understand this bill...Seems like a lot of pork, probably is but show me one politicians who unerstands this bill, yet read it....I think pelosi should have a town meeting, one on one with American people....Leave your mouth pieces home and be acct. to the american people...quit hiding and avoiding questions....You haVE no needs your wealthy, would you get on this plan....Both parties act on interest for there parties....Washington as usual....wont change....to many gullable americans who trust there politician who at times is the problem....Just dont want to admit to it.....oh well, till americans wake up.....ITS WASHINGTON AS USUAL....IM STILL WAITING FOR MY AMBASSADOR SHIP, LIKE KERRYS FAMILY GOT...

Russell Fox Wells, Me (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 2:05 PM)

The party with super majority has only become such by doing a better job of accomodating diversity of views amongst themselves. The country is still the same - evenly divided. So it doesnt matter what is behind the names D or R. If the republicans began to tolerate differences of opinions and the dems purified themselves into a liberal party, then republicans will have super majority and will have problem passing very right tilted bills. That's why republicans could not pass immigration reform or social security reform (even with 50 + 1) with their majorities just a few years ago.

J. Richter (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 2:12 PM)

The house bill will never see the light of day in it's current form. It would plunge this coutry into a true depression. Nobody who currently pays taxes could afford the monstrous costs in both overt and hidden taxes. The system would collapse on itself. More unemployment, less consumer spending. The U.S. economy would enter a death spiral and give B.O. his coveted Martial Law. Then we would see the true Change to Believe In. Call your congressmen before it's too late!

Kenneth Langlois, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:31 PM)

when the unions go back to the bargining table the first thing that will be cut is hc for the retiries and then the active workers we will all be on govt assistance. If u belive that u can keep ur exiting hc and ur a union member ur full of it. I work for the union and they even want to push people off on to the govt. So to all u people who have good HC beause of your union be prepared to be droped or pay taxes on ur policy which will be 5000-6000 dollar ayear mmmmmmmm bho mmmmmmmm bho

Dont let it happen (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 6:31 PM)

They used to put people in prison for buying votes but the president and Congress have brought this to a new level and seem OK with it.But this will be a greater man made disaster that can bring this country to her knees.(Maybe this is what ex president Clinton has in mind it worked with Monica

Eldon Kerns Corsicana Texas 75110 (Sent Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:27 PM)

I don't know what you people are thinking about, but have you read any of this bill that was passed? This so called Health Care Reform Bill is a bunch of CRAPP!!! It is riddled with so much graft and money going to the very industry that we are all complaining about that the only type of reform that we are getting here is legalized theft and what makes it worse is that it was justified by the people that we elected into office to protect us from this kind of stuff. What we need is real REFORM! We need to regulate the insurance industry and have them be responsible, not end coverages because someone gets sick, deny coverage due to a pre-existing condition, make an honest profit and not allowing the premiums to go up each year at 125% (these were in the bill). We also don't need to have another whole new branch of government established to oversee what you or I get in the way of advice of health care from our doctors. After all that is why we go to doctors for their knowledge of what is needed for our particular treatments, not some Washington Pencil Pusher. Bottom line we also don't need to give away anymore of our rights to the government like FREEDOM OF CHOICE! I don't want someone telling me that I have to have something when I don't feel that it is necessary for my particular needs. I don't feel that it is right that I should impose my needs on others either for the same reasons.

I know that there needs to be real responsible Health Care Reform, but we can do this without costing money to the taxpayers by putting the reforms back on the industry that has caused this issue. The Health Insurance Industry, you know the ones that we bailed out AIG! Make them be the ones that do the reform work, make them pay for awhile instead of us!

G Davis Astoria, Or (Sent Wednesday, November 11, 2009 1:16 AM)

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