For the Record

Can the Clintons pull it off? A New York Times sampling on prospects for passage of Clinton health-care plan indicates lots of important people on the Hill don’t think so. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, as could be expected, has no doubts: “The bill that eventually will pass will parallel the Administration’s proposal quite closely.” Not so, says Rep. Dick Armey (Tex.), Chairman of Republican Conference: “Members of Congress cannot go home and defend a vote for a nightmarish bureaucratic infrastructure or job-killing mandates like those in the Clinton bill.” Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (Kan.), a Republican moderate, guesses “something less than a comprehensive approach will be designed in incremental steps. It will be portrayed as containing enough of what the President wanted so he will proclaim victory.” . . . Minority Leader Bob Dole, who once thought GOP should offer alternative plan to Clinton monstrosity, has been won over by Bill Kristol’s Project for Republican Future. Dole now says there’s no health crisis and that GOP’s main goal should be to defeat Clinton bill, and then reform current system. . . . Americans for Tax Reform is mailing 50,000 “Go to Jail” cards in order to highlight penalties in health plan. ATF’s Grover Norquist explains that ordinary citizens could go to jail for trying to go around rules of plan in order to seek better care—i.e., acting as they do now. . . . Rep. James Inhofe (R., Okla.) plans to use discharge petition to get vote on balanced-budget amendment.

At year’s end, 26 House members say they will either retire or run for other office. At this point in last election cycle, only 16 had made similar announcement—but by Election Day 1992, 65 had dropped out. . . . NBC News poll finds 52 per cent of electorate want a new representative; 34 per cent want theirs re-elected. . . . Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle (R.) and N.H. Sen. Bob Smith (R.) were Clinton’s most active foes in House and Senate, voting against him 83 and 89 per cent last year, reports Congressional Quarterly. Among Democrats, least loyal to President: La. Rep. Billy Tauzin (52 per cent) and Ala. Sen. Richard Shelby (54 per cent). Among Senate Democrats next most disloyal was Ernest Hollings (S.C.), who voted against Prez 27 per cent. Five Republicans most supportive: John Chafee (R.I.), Dave Durenberger (Minn.), James Jeffords (Vt.), Nancy Kassebaum (Kan.), and Arlen Specter (Pa.). Loyalty of House Speaker Tom Foley? 100 per cent.

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Can the Clintons pull it off? A New York Times sampling on prospects for passage of Clinton health-care plan indicates lots of important people on the Hill don’t think so. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, as could be expected, has no doubts: “The bill that eventually will pass will parallel the Administration’s proposal quite closely.” Not so, says Rep. Dick Armey (Tex.), Chairman of Republican Conference: “Members of Congress cannot go home and defend a vote for a nightmarish bureaucratic infrastructure or job-killing mandates like those in the Clinton bill.” Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (Kan.), a Republican moderate, guesses “something less than a comprehensive approach will be designed in incremental steps. It will be portrayed as containing enough of what the President wanted so he will proclaim victory.” . . . Minority Leader Bob Dole, who once thought GOP should offer alternative plan to Clinton monstrosity, has been won over by Bill Kristol’s Project for Republican Future. Dole now says there’s no health crisis and that GOP’s main goal should be to defeat Clinton bill, and then reform current system. . . . Americans for Tax Reform is mailing 50,000 “Go to Jail” cards in order to highlight penalties in health plan. ATF’s Grover Norquist explains that ordinary citizens could go to jail for trying to go around rules of plan in order to seek better care—i.e., acting as they do now. . . . Rep. James Inhofe (R., Okla.) plans to use discharge petition to get vote on balanced-budget amendment.

At year’s end, 26 House members say they will either retire or run for other office. At this point in last election cycle, only 16 had made similar announcement—but by Election Day 1992, 65 had dropped out. . . . NBC News poll finds 52 per cent of electorate want a new representative; 34 per cent want theirs re-elected. . . . Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle (R.) and N.H. Sen. Bob Smith (R.) were Clinton’s most active foes in House and Senate, voting against him 83 and 89 per cent last year, reports Congressional Quarterly. Among Democrats, least loyal to President: La. Rep. Billy Tauzin (52 per cent) and Ala. Sen. Richard Shelby (54 per cent). Among Senate Democrats next most disloyal was Ernest Hollings (S.C.), who voted against Prez 27 per cent. Five Republicans most supportive: John Chafee (R.I.), Dave Durenberger (Minn.), James Jeffords (Vt.), Nancy Kassebaum (Kan.), and Arlen Specter (Pa.). Loyalty of House Speaker Tom Foley? 100 per cent.