Senators fire opening salvos in healthcare debate
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The Senate began deliberations on its version of healthcare overhaul today, with Democrats searching for a bill that will be supported by 60 senators.
Returning from the Thanksgiving holiday, the Senate slowly began the debate on President Obama’s centerpiece issue with the expectation that amendments and changes will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
We’ll be “working on things, trying to improve it, taking out things,†Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said on the floor of the Senate today. “Democrats stand ready to do so. I hope my Republican colleagues will recognize that reality even if their party leaders deny it.
“So as we round the last turn on this journey, I renew my plea to this body, to senators, Democratic and Republicans: ‘Let’s discuss the specifics of this bill, not the whispers and wild rumors.’ â€
Republicans who rejected the bill that Reid wrote were not shy. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in his opening salvo that the healthcare bill was ‘out of touch with the American people.’
“Americans are beginning to see the truth beyond the rhetoric,†McConnell said on the floor.
McConnell argued that the healthcare bill, pegged at $848 billion over 10 years, does not deal with issues Republicans consider more urgent, such as job creation in a tight economy.
Democrats argue that “history is calling,†McConnell said. “I think they’ve got it half right. Someone is calling all right, it is not history but the American worker.â€
“Americans don’t want this bill to pass,†McConnell said.
The opening comments are just that, the first shots in the weeks of debate that lie ahead. The Senate is expected to hear several amendments today, but no votes are scheduled.
On Nov. 21, Reid was able to hold his caucus together and get the 60 votes needed to begin formal debate on his healthcare reform bill. But at least three Democrats and one independent in the group made it clear that they won’t back the bill as written.
All four senators, Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Democrats Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska, were skeptical about the bill’s public-option provision. Complicating the problem is that several senators, including independent Bernard Sanders of Vermont, have warned that the public option is a make-or-break issue.
On the Republican side, the two more liberal senators from Vermont are considered possible votes for the bill under some circumstances. None of the 38 other GOP senators are likely to vote for the bill.
Other issues that could create problems in forming a 60-vote bloc are abortion funding; steps to cut healthcare costs, particularly for Medicare; and taxes and fees to fund the overhaul.
-- Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal
