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Tuesday, November 10, 2009  More On Clinton's Senate Visit [Robert Costa] From First Read:
Former President Bill Clinton heads to Capitol Hill today to speak to Democratic senators at their weekly caucus meeting at 1:45 pm ET. The topic, of course, will be health care. What’s particularly interesting is that Clinton has strong ties to the Senate centrists who could very well decide the fate of the health-care bill in the Senate. Clinton was governor when Ben Nelson served as governor of Nebraska; Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor just happen to represent Clinton’s home state of Arkansas; and Clinton and Joe Lieberman used to be VERY close personally and ideologically — all before the Lewinsky scandal. In particular, what kind of advice does Clinton give to Lincoln and Pryor? What does he say to Lieberman (if the Connecticut senator ends up attending)? During the '08 campaign, Clinton found his stride campaigning in, well, red America — in places that are similar politically to Arkansas, Nebraska, Indiana, etc. Clinton's at his best when he's giving OTHERS political advice, and he excels at framing an argument better than just about anyone on the political stage today.
11/10 09:51 AM  Share
 40 [Robert Costa] From William McGurn in the Wall Street Journal:
As it is, Democrats now have to make some decisions that may anger their Planned Parenthood wing. The fight itself will be interesting, judging from a claim by Diana DeGette (D., Col.) in yesterday's Washington Post that 40 Democrats will vote against a final bill unless the Stupak amendment is stripped out. Of course, if it is stripped out, that will put even more pressure on those 64 Democrats who voted for the amendment.
"We won because [the Democrats] need us," says Mr. Stupak. "If they are going to summarily dismiss us by taking the pen to that language, there will be hell to pay. I don't say it as a threat, but if they double-cross us, there will be 40 people who won't vote with them the next time they need us—and that could be the final version of this bill."
11/10 09:50 AM Share
Five Alive [Robert Costa] From the home page, five obstacles to Obamacare in the Senate:
After passing in the U.S. House of Representatives by a 220–215 vote on Saturday, Obamacare heads to the U.S. Senate this week, where it faces five major obstacles. NRO spoke with Republican senators and numerous aides on Monday about potential roadblocks in the Democrats’ way as they try to cobble together 60 votes.
More here. 11/10 09:44 AM Share
Obama Talks Health Care With ABC [Robert Costa] Full transcript here. 11/10 08:33 AM Share
A Great Weekend Memory [Robert Costa] From the anti-PelosiCare rally hosted on Saturday by Rep. Steve King (R., Iowa):
11/10 08:30 AM Share
Enzi's Take [Robert Costa] From the AP:
U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi says legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the cost of health insurance.
The Wyoming Republican is a member of the Senate finance and health committees, and he's been closely involved in negotiations over health care reform.
Enzi said Monday that the House bill would create "One of the largest bureaucracies money can buy."
11/10 08:26 AM Share
After The Dash [Robert Costa] Check out this Washington Post headline:
Obama weighs in on abortion — carefully
What would you put after the dash? 11/10 08:20 AM Share
Well, An Ecclesiastical Ring, For One [Robert Costa] Laura Flanders at The Nation asks: "What do the Bishops have that We Don't?"
The House passed its version of health-care legislation Saturday night by a vote of 220 to 215 after the approval of an amendment which amounts to a not-very-back door abortion ban for everyone but the very rich. Presented by Democrat Bart Stupak of Michigan with the strong backing of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the amendment would prohibit abortion coverage in the government-run plan and any private plan on the new marketplace that accepts people who are using government subsidies to buy coverage.
It's sexist, it's classist, it goes well beyond the heinous Hyde Amendment ban on public funding for abortion—and it passed with the support of 64 Democrats, roughly a quarter of the caucus.
It's an odd question. He's Just Not That Into You isn't a good primer for such things. 11/10 08:14 AM Share
Rahm: 'Let's Be Honest' [Robert Costa] From the New York Times:
Some experts would like to see such changes adopted more quickly, and senators of both parties say they will press for more aggressive cost-cutting measures when the bill comes up for debate. But drastic changes in the health care reimbursement system could cost the White House the support of doctors and hospital groups, who have signed onto the legislation and are lobbying hard to keep the current fee-for-service system from being phased out too quickly.
The debate underscores a fundamental tension inside the White House between cost-containment idealists and pragmatists.
The first group includes officials like Peter R. Orszag, the budget director, and Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, the medical ethicist whose brother Rahm is the chief of staff. The second includes Rahm Emanuel and Nancy-Ann DeParle, the director of the Office of Health Reform, who must contend with the realities of getting legislation passed.
“Let’s be honest,” Rahm Emanuel said in a recent interview. “The goal isn’t to see whether I can pass this through the executive board of the Brookings Institution. I’m passing it through the United States Congress with people who represent constituents.”
He went on: “I’m sure there are a lot of people sitting in the shade at the Aspen Institute — my brother being one of them — who will tell you what the ideal plan is. Great, fascinating. You have the art of the possible measured against the ideal.”
Mr. Orszag would not be interviewed. But in an e-mail message sent through a spokesman, he said the current legislation “lays the foundation” for cost-cutting over the long-term, adding: “Will more need to be done in the future? Absolutely.”
11/10 07:58 AM Share
ClintonCare Redux [Robert Costa] From the AP:
Former President Bill Clinton knows just how high the political stakes are in the fight to overhaul America's health care system.
His failed attempt to revamp the delivery of medical care contributed to the Republican takeover of the House and Senate in 1994.
Fast forward to 2009, where health care's white-hot spotlight now shines on the Senate. Clinton is still in the picture, and he's expected to speak to Senate Democrats about health care legislation during their weekly caucus Tuesday, officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his schedule.
11/10 07:55 AM Share
Monday, November 09, 2009 Pelosicare & the 'Lords of Entitlement' [Kathryn Jean Lopez] The WSJ today:
The bill is instead a breathtaking display of illiberal ambition, intended to make the middle class more dependent on government through the umbilical cord of "universal health care." It creates a vast new entitlement, financed by European levels of taxation on business and individuals. The 20% corner of Medicare open to private competition is slashed, while fiscally strapped states are saddled with new Medicaid burdens. The insurance industry will have to vet every policy with Washington, which will regulate who it must cover, what it can offer, and how much it can charge.
11/09 07:33 AM Share
Sunday, November 08, 2009 The American NHS [Robert Costa] On NBC's "Meet the Press," David Brooks and E.J. Dionne agreed: in countries where health care passes, it only becomes more popular and "sacred" over time. This is a nod to the politics of the NHS across the pond in the U.K., where even Tory leader David Cameron professes his love for socialized medicine. Maybe such affection for PelosiCare will grow over time, but I doubt it. And though America may soon have its own NHS, it's more likely that Americans will give up their health-care freedom with a bang, not a whimper. Which reminds me: Late last night, just after health-care passed, I stood and watched Democratic Rep. John Dingell get showered with cheers at the post-vote press conference. He mentioned Britain, via an old Churchill anecdote. It went like this: Ladies point to a spot halfway up a wall and tell Sir Winston that he's drank enough to fill the room to that point. "So much to do and so little time," replied WSC. Dingell got laughs, of course. An American NHS? Perhaps. A government set to imbibe even more tax dollars? As WSC might say: It's only the end of the beginning. 11/08 11:39 AM Share
Be Pretty [Robert Costa] Democratic strategist Donna Brazile on the future of the Stupak amendment in the Senate: "It might hold but it won't be a pretty vote for many pro-choice Democrats." And if pro-choice senators kill the amendment? "That would be the end of the bill," says George Will, in a roundtable debate on ABC's "This Week." 11/08 10:56 AM Share
Reaganite [Robert Costa] "Is your health care really any better than it was a year ago?" — Frank Luntz on ABC's "This Week" about the GOP line for 2010. 11/08 10:39 AM Share
Sunday Steele [Robert Costa] RNC chair Michael Steele on ABC's "This Week:" On health care: "You did this at 11 o'clock on a Saturday night?" On election '09: "You can no longer dismiss people by talking on your cell phone... or calling them un-American." On NY-23: "The reality is this was a play to grab a state Senate seat... We'll get the seat back." 11/08 10:25 AM Share
From Rep. Bart Stupak Presser [Robert Costa] Stupak: "Pleased... Uphill battle since July... Been a rough week... 64 Democrats who voted for the Stupak amendment" are to be commended. 11/08 12:12 AM Share
Saturday, November 07, 2009 What A Wonderful World [Robert Costa] Rep. Louise Slaughter (D., N.Y.): Americans now have "wonderful things that await them... Will love this bill as much as we do." 11/07 11:57 PM Share
'sharp blow to the White House's pro-abortion smuggling operation' [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
WASHINGTON (November 7, 2009) — The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of right-to-life organizations in the 50 states, issued the following statement regarding today's actions in the House of Representatives on the health care restructuring legislation, H.R. 3962.
The House adopted the NRLC-backed Stupak-Pitts Amendment, 240-194. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment removed two major pro-abortion components from H.R. 3962. Specifically: (1) the amendment would permanently prohibit the new federal government insurance program, the "public option," from paying for abortion, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest; and (2) the amendment would permanently prohibit the use of the new federal premium subsidies ("affordability credits") to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest). The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mi.) and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.). It was supported by 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. It was opposed by 194 Democrats. One Republican withheld his support by voting "present."
NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson said: "The Obama White House and top congressional Democratic leaders spent months concealing and misrepresenting provisions that would directly fund abortions through a government plan, and subsidize premiums for private abortion plans. Today's bipartisan House vote is a sharp blow to the White House's pro-abortion smuggling operation. But we know that the White House and pro-abortion congressional Democratic leaders will keep trying to enact government funding of abortion, and will keep trying to conceal their true intentions, so there is a long battle ahead."
The Associated Press reported, "Abortion rights advocates called the measure the biggest setback to women's reproductive rights in decades."
In addition to working hard to remove abortion subsidies from the bill, NRLC has sought to educate lawmakers and the public about components of H.R. 3962 that could result in rationing or discriminatory denial of lifesaving medical care. A letter sent by NRLC to the House late today, summarizing objectionable elements of the amended bill, is posted here. The letter states: "We will continue to work to correct provisions that we find objectionable in this area, both in the health care legislation that will come before the Senate, and in any conference committee on health care legislation. We reserve the right to score the roll call vote on the conference report, or on any Senate-passed bill, if these concerns are not adequately resolved."
11/07 11:56 PM Share
The President [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
“I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year.”
A Senate aide tells me: "and I would like a pony."
11/07 11:55 PM Share
39 [Robert Costa] Dems broke ranks. The question: Did Pelosi have the numbers all along and let some slide? 11/07 11:51 PM Share
CWA on Stupak [Kathryn Jean Lopez] Via e-mail:
Washington, D.C. — The House of Representatives voted today to strip funding for elective abortions in the final hours of debate on the health care bill. The Stupak/Pitts amendment maintains the current federal policy of preventing funding of abortion in federal programs. Individuals may buy supplemental coverage for elective abortions with their own money and private plans that do not receive government subsidies may cover abortions.
"Democrats and Republicans came together to ensure federal funds would not pay for elective abortions. They corrected a terrible provision in the bill that would force Americans to subsidize abortion, an act that kills unborn children and harms women. Pro-life congressmen - Democrat and Republican - worked tirelessly to strip an incentive from the bill that would increase abortions by paying for them with government money," stated Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.
For months, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee rallied members to oppose abortion funding in the health care bill even up to the last hours before the vote.
The bill still contains objectionable provisions that will ration and deny health care, pay for coercive "end of life planning", create multiple bureaucracies that will control Americans health care, penalize Americans for not buying a product (health insurance), fine Americans if a government agent decides their health care plan is not "government approved", and may force Americans to buy government mandated insurance that funds objectionable procedures.
If the objectionable issues are not corrected, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee will oppose passage of the final bill.
Concerned Women for America is the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization.
11/07 11:46 PM Share
Why Stupak Was a Pro-Life Victory [Kathryn Jean Lopez] A pro-life conservative strategist e-mails:
I am concerned some of our friends will try to blame prolifers for hcr passage tonight because of Stupak amendment.
From Day One Dems knew abortion funding was going to be a prob for them, so they first developed Capps Amendment, then, working with solid and smart prolife GOPers, Stupak strengthened so at least something of substance went through - then they tried Ellsworth...point is, Dems were going to have something pass designed to make blue dogs feel better on abortion funding -
Stupak was the best and only play we had and it does position to have a shot in Senate.
But bottomline is Dems were going to put something in on abortion funding to give enough Dems cover to pass this. Best we knocked back from a position of strength.
11/07 11:44 PM Share
Full Cao Statement [Kathryn Jean Lopez] via e-mail:
Washington, DC - Tonight, Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao (LA-2) voted in favor of the comprehensive health reform bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
Of his vote, Cao said: “Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana.
Cao said: “I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children.
The bill passed the House at a 220-215 vote.
Cao said: “Today, I obtained a commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. And, I call on my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues.
Cao said: “I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.
H.R. 3962 included the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections for health care providers.
Cao said: “Before the Stupak-Pitts amendment was adopted as part of this health reform bill, the bill failed to explicitly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion.”
According to a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops dated November 7, 2009, “The [Stupak-Pitts] Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in nonsubsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds.”
Cao said: “Thank to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, taxpayer dollars will not go to supporting elective abortions, and for thousands of my constituents, this was a top priority. By incorporating this amendment into the health reform bill, my colleagues and I made this bill better, and that is an achievement of which I will always be proud.”
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, the archbishop of New Orleans, said: “I am grateful to Congressman Cao for his courage and determination to defend life. I appreciate his work to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform and for protecting conscience rights of health care professionals. I – and, I am sure, many in New Orleans would join me – [I] appreciate Congressman Cao's commitment to the people of New Orleans."
11/07 11:42 PM Share
Here at the Capitol [Robert Costa] It's a liberal lovefest. Hugs, tears, joy. So much pride among the Dems. "Historic" is on all of their tongues. "Historic _____," is more like it. 11/07 11:41 PM Share
Cong. Boustany on Cao [Robert Costa] to NRO: "He decided to vote in the interests of his district. He was clear all along about where He stood. It was something he felt he had to do." 11/07 11:34 PM Share
Presidential Tweeting [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
@ RT @ We won!!!!
11/07 11:30 PM Share
In the End [Kathryn Jean Lopez] 39 Democrats voted against Pelosi:
1. Rep. John Adler (NJ)
2. Rep. Jason Altmire (PA)
3. Rep. Brian Baird (WA)
4. Rep. John Barrow (GA)
5. Rep. John Boccieri (OH)
6. Rep. Dan Boren (OK)
7. Rep. Rick Boucher (VA)
8. Rep. Allen Boyd (FL)
9. Rep. Bobby Bright (AL)
10. Rep. Ben Chandler (KT)
11. Rep. Travis Childers (MS)
12. Rep. Artur Davis (AL)
13. Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN)
14. Rep. Chet Edwards (TX)
15. Rep. Bart Gordon (TN)
16. Rep. Parker Griffith (AL)
17. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD)
18. Rep. Tim Holden (PA)
19. Rep. Larry Kissell (NC)
20. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (FL)
21. Rep. Frank Kratovil (MD)
22. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH)
23. Rep. Jim Marshall (GA)
24. Rep. Betsy Markey (CO)
25. Rep. Eric Massa (NY)
26. Rep. Jim Matheson(UT)
27. Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC)
28. Rep. Michael McMahon (NY)
29. Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA)
30. Rep. Walt Minnick (ID)
31. Rep. Scott Murphy (NY)
32. Rep. Glenn Nye (VA)
33. Rep. Collin Peterson (MN)
34. Rep. Mike Ross (AR)
35. Rep. Heath Shuler (NC)
36. Rep. Ike Skelton (MO)
37. Rep. John Tanner (TN)
38. Rep. Gene Taylor (MS)
39. Rep. Harry Teague (NM)
11/07 11:27 PM Share
Cao Statement [Kathryn Jean Lopez] "I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people." 11/07 11:26 PM Share
Eric Cantor on Joseph Cao [Robert Costa] Whip Cantor tells NRO that he's "obviously disappointed about Cao." 11/07 11:20 PM Share
Righting Wrongs [Kathryn Jean Lopez] In the Democratic mind, what went wrong with Hillarycare is that they didn't just pass something. So, whatever happens in the end, Speaker Pelosi has just bumped Queen Hillary off in the Heroines of Health Care Hall of Fame. 11/07 11:09 PM Share
FINAL COUNTDOWN [Robert Costa] 202 yeas on PelosiCare, 193 nays... 36 Dems nay...Cao up in the air still...215-209... 218-214. PASS...Dems cheer... 39 Dems nay...CAO, GOPer, a yea...220-215... GOP side looks tired and rejected. Dems buzzing, of course... Joseph Cao just made this 'bipartisan'— Dems already spinning their win. 11/07 11:03 PM Share
This Vote [Kathryn Jean Lopez] A friend comments: "So not even protecting seniors’ Medicare will get Dems to vote against ambulance chasers?" 11/07 10:59 PM Share
Observation on MTR debate [Robert Costa]
From a GOP aide: "The Democrats had more passion defending the trial bar than in extending access in their health bill."
11/07 10:50 PM Share
GOP MTR [Robert Costa] 156-218...164-227... Now 170 yea, 231 nay... 184-245... 187-287 11/07 10:46 PM Share
Dems on Record Against Abortion Funding [Kathryn Jean Lopez] 64 Democrats Voted Yes - Altmire, Baca, Barrow, Berry, Bishop (GA), Boccieri, Boren, Bright, Cardoza, Carney, Chandler, Childers, Cooper, Costa, Costello, Cuellar, Dahlkemper, Davis (AL), Davis (TN), Donnelly (IN), Doyle, Driehaus, Ellsworth, Etheridge, Gordon (TN), Griffith, Hill, Holden, Kanjorski, Kaptur, Kildee, Langevin, Lipinski, Lynch, Marshall, Matheson, McIntyre, Melancon, Michaud, Mollohan, Murtha, Neal (MA), Oberstar, Obey, Ortiz, Perriello, Peterson, Pomeroy, Rahall, Reyes, Rodriguez, Ross, Salazar, Shuler, Skelton, Snyder, Space, Spratt, Stupak, Tanner, Taylor, Teague, Wilson (OH) 11/07 10:43 PM Share
More on the Motion [Robert Costa] From the Republican Study Committee:
Summary of Motion: The motion would recommit H.R. 3962 back to the House Energy & Commerce Committee with instructions that the committee report the bill back to the House floorforthwith (i.e. instantaneously) with the following amendment to be offered by Rep. Eric Cantor: The Republican MTR would provide a remedy for seniors who are negatively affected by the $500 billion in Medicare cuts through establishing a new “Seniors Protection and Medicare Regional Payment Equity Fund” fully paid for through medical liability reform.
Background: The cuts to Medicare will leave seniors with reduced benefits and fewer choices, particularly those on Medicare Advantage or in rural areas. The Motion to Recommit finds that the CMS Actuary noted that “the demand for health services could be difficult to meet initially with existing health provider resources and could lead to price increases, cost-shifting, and changes in providers’ willingness to treat patients with low-reimbursement health coverage.”
The Motion to Recommit puts seniors before trial lawyers by enacting caps on non-economic damages and lawyers’ fees, encouraging speedy resolutions of claims, limiting punitive damages, among other things. This will reduce defensive medicine and bring down the cost of health care.
The Motion to Recommit will establish a new “Seniors Protection and Medicare Regional Payment Equity Fund” to protect seniors’ access to quality health care without delaying or denying care. The motion requires the Secretary to prioritize funding to protect those seniors who will be hardest hit by the cuts to the Medicare program in Speaker Pelosi’s Government Takeover of Health Care bill, (including seniors who live in high-quality, low-cost counties and seniors in Medicare Advantage).
Process: This MTR moves to recommit the bill (with instructions) “forthwith.” If passed, the forthwith directive would technically send the bill back to committee along with the MTR instructions, requiring the committee to immediately return the bill to the House along with the amendment. In effect, the chairman of the committee would take the floor and immediately report the bill back to the House with the amendment instructions in the MTR. The House would then vote on the amendment (in essence, a second vote on the MTR with instructions). If this passes, a vote on final passage – with the amendment included – would be before the House.
NOTE: The House Democrat Rules package for the 111th Congress (H.Res 5) denied the minority the right to offer MTRs “promptly.” If passed, the promptly directive would actually send the bill back to committee along with the MTR instructions. It would NOT instantaneously amend the bill, as would a “forthwith” directive, nor would this motion kill the bill (as the majority has falsely asserted). In this instance, the committee would not be required to act upon the bill. However, the committee could convene a special meeting to consider the bill and potentially send it back to the House, but the Rules Committee would have to meet and report another rule for consideration of the bill. All of this could happen on the very same legislative day, if so desired.
The “promptly” motion would allow for more thoughtful consideration of minority amendments, but the Democrats have decided they do not want such consideration.
11/07 10:39 PM Share
'Trial Lawyers!' [Robert Costa] "You're all trial lawyers!" — heard from a few GOP members. UPDATE: It was Rep. Don Young. 11/07 10:38 PM Share
Motion to Recommit [Robert Costa] A staffer puts it this way: "Stops the Medicare cuts that eliminate choices for seniors, and pays for it by enacting real medical liability reforms. Will Democrats side with seniors, or the trial bar?"
The Republican motion to recommit H.R. 3962 would add common-sense medical liability reforms, imposing caps on non-economic damages of $250,000, caps on punitive damages, restrictions on attorney contingency fees, and restrictions on the liability statute of limitations and collateral source damages. The savings from enactment of those liability reforms—which would lower health costs by eliminating defensive medicine practices—would be directed into a new Seniors Protection and Medicare Regional Payment Equity Fund in order to correct payment inequities and preserve seniors’ choice and access.
11/07 10:33 PM Share
Boehner Amendment [Robert Costa] 140 yea, 202 nay... Now 169-253... 174-254... Tim Johnson, R of Illinois, against. 11/07 10:25 PM Share
So Far [Kathryn Jean Lopez] no "present" votes on Stupak.
And no Republican "nay." 11/07 10:15 PM Share
GOP Leadership Statement on Stupak [Kathryn Jean Lopez] Via e-mail:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) and House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) issued the following statement in support of an amendment offered by Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Joseph Pitts (R-PA) that would prohibit federal funding of abortions under the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) health care plan:
“We believe in the sanctity of life, and the Stupak-Pitts Amendment addresses a moral issue of the utmost concern. It will limit abortion in the United States. Because of this, while we strongly and deeply oppose the underlying bill, we decided to stand with Life and support Stupak-Pitts.
“The danger of this bill passing without critical pro-life language was too great a risk to do otherwise. Indeed, a number of Democrat supporters of Stupak-Pitts had privately indicated to many of our colleagues that all they needed for “cover” was a vote, and they would support final passage even if the amendment failed.
“To be clear, the Stupak-Pitts Amendment's passage is the right thing to do. We believe you just don’t play politics with life.
“When this bill is conferenced with the Senate, the pro-life majority in the House of Representatives must ensure that this important amendment is in the final legislation. If it does not, this same strong majority must defeat the bill.”
11/07 10:10 PM Share
Stupak Votes [Robert Costa] As of now: 152 yea, 147 nay... UPDATE: 186-168... UPDATE: 200-173... UPDATE: 206-174... UPDATE: 222-186... UPDATE: 235-189... Now 240-194... Shadegg a 'present'— the only one. 11/07 10:09 PM Share
Undecideds Remaining [Robert Costa] According to two senior GOP staffer:
D Cardoza
J Costa
B Markey
M Michaud
S Murphy
B Stupak (depending on amendment)
B Ellsworth
P Kanjorski
S Driehaus
J Donnelly
Z Space
B Chandler
R Kind
C Carney
M Kaptur
C Rodriguez
A Smith
T Perriello
11/07 09:53 PM Share
Here We Go [Robert Costa] Boehner making his closing statement now: He's focusing on jobs, and recalled his days as a small-business owner. Also warning about a future "health-service czar." Now his voice is rising as speaks about future criminal penalties... The House is now packed. The voting nears. 11/07 09:35 PM Share
John Boccieri [Kathryn Jean Lopez] of Ohio is that 35th Dem "nay." 11/07 09:07 PM Share
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