George Wenschhof
Yesterday, President Obama visited the House Democrats on the Hill on the eve of the historic vote on health care reform. He concluded with "We're Going to Get This Done".
Today, is the day health care reform will finally pass - the House vote is likely to take place around 3:00 PM ET and we will post the results of the vote. Jon Larson (D-Conn.), who is the House Democratic caucus leader, said today on ABC "This Week", "We have the votes". Politico.com has more here.
Yet, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), appearing on NBC "Meet The Press" this morning, tells David Gregory we're not there yet. However, Hoyer believes they will receive the 216 votes needed to pass the bill. Politico.com has more here. Politico.com has the whip count at 210 this morning for Democrats.
I hope that is true as our country has gone too long being the only industrialized nation without a form of national health care. More needs to be done to make the bill better in the future, including the inclusion of the "public option", but this is a great start and a basis to build upon.
If, this passes today in the House, Democrats can be proud their Representatives did not shrink from doing what was right, in spite of the bombardment of misinformation and outright lies from many Republicans.
The NY Times is reporting today that Democrats have 207 "Yes" votes for certain and 28 "No" votes for certain, leaving 18 Democrats still on the fence. 9 of the 18 fence sitters will need to vote "Yes" for the bill to pass with the 216 vote minimum number needed. The NY Times has more here.
Also yesterday, House Democratic leadership decided against using the "Slaughter rule" know as "Deem and Pass" and there will be an up or down vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) also said no to any side votes to appease Bart Stupak (D-Mich) who has argued against existing abortion language in the Senate bill. Stupak cancelled a news conference he had scheduled for 11:00 AM yesterday. TheHill.com has more here.
Under consideration to help appease Rep. Stupak and what appears to be another 5-6 votes would be the president issuing an executive order reaffirming the Hyde amendment which says no federal monies would be used to fund abortions.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the right hand margin.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Health Care Reform Update 3-21-2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Daily Democratic Wire 3-20-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, President Barack Obama will head to the Hill to visit the Democratic caucus on the eve of the historic health care reform vote - he will speak to them about 3:00 PM ET as he makes what appears to be his last case for health care reform.
Yesterday, President Obama spoke at George Mason University.
The vote in the House is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET. The vote promises to be just as close as it was when the House passed their version of health care reform with a 220-215 vote. With four House vacancies, the needed number of votes to pass the bill is 216.
We will bring you the results tomorrow.
---
Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) continues to milk his time in the spotlight - he continues to oppose the health care bill as he believes it does not go far enough in detailing federal money would not be used for abortions. CNN.com has more here.
Negotiations continue with House Speaker Pelosi to assure him the current "Hyde amendment" is the current law of the land and it denies the use of federal funds for abortion. Whether Stupak has four votes or twelve votes, this block could ultimately determine the outcome of the vote tomorrow. Stupak has scheduled a news conference at 11:00 AM this morning.
---
Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - It will all be about health care today. The sparks will begin flying with David Gregory and NBC "Meet The Press", who has House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader David Boehner (R-Oh.) along with DNC Chair Tim Kaine and RNC Chair Michael Steele.
ABC "This Week" continues the health care theme with Representatives Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and John Larson (D-Conn.). Also appearing with be former campaign chairs David Plouffe (Obama) and Karl Rove (Bush). Former Senate Leaders Tom Daschle (D) and Trent Lott (R) will also add their two cents.
CBS "Face the Nation" will have Representatives James cltburn (D-S.C.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senate Minority Leader (R-Ky.) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). They will surely will talking vote count.
CNN "State of The Union" will have on Senators Orin Hatch (R-Ut.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.). Also appearing will be Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.).
---
In case you missed it, below is a hilarious skit performed by Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" entitled "Conservative Libertarian". He does a a great job imitating Glenn Beck.The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c Conservative Libertarian Daily Show
Full EpisodesPolitical Humor Health Care Reform
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from "Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the right hand margin.
Obama Weekly Address 3-20-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, in his weekly address, President Obama talks about the need for financial reform. He speaks of the bill recently introduced in the senate by Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and says he will ensure the bill reflects the best interests of the American people and not Wall Street.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the right hand margin.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Daily Democratic Wire 3-19-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, President Obama will travel to nearby Fairfax, Virginia - for what may be his last rally on health care reform before the vote on Sunday. The Washington Post has more here.
The president cancels his already postponed trip to Indonesia and Australia as the House vote is now scheduled for Sunday, the day he was to leave. MSNBC.com has more here.
---
House Majority Leader says Democrats prepared for any legal challenges to the passage of the health care reform bill - even, should they use the "deem and pass" rule in the House to avoid an actual vote on the passed senate bill. TheHill.com has more here.
You can be sure there will be plenty of legal challenges coming from Republicans. I prefer the democrats not use the "deem and pass" strategy in the House, but am fine with the use of "budget reconciliation" in the Senate to pass amendments where 51 votes will still be needed for passage.
---
Reconciliation bill details released - the House amendments to the passed senate bill make up 153 pages. They include the elimination of some of the ctazy deals done in the senate to ensure passage such as the so-called "cornhusker deal" struck with Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). Politico.com has a list of the amendments here.
---
Immigration to be the next "health care like" bill to hit Congress - an important issue Congress has ignored for quite some time. Senators Charles Shumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will be submitting bipartisan legislation. They have already met with the President who has offered his support for a bipartisan bill.
Current provisions in the bill include more immigration officials, the use of a special coded social security card which would be used by everyone, ways to gain legal status by paying fines and performing community service, and more. The NY Times has more here.
This is an issue, like health care reform, that can inflame passions. Let's hope this much needed discussion gets underway and the political nonsense we have witnessed over the passage of health care reform is not repeated.
As the House votes Sunday on health care reform, thousands of demonstrators are expected to arrive in D.C. to rally at the national mall for immigration reform. CNN.com has more here.
---
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calls on Israel to freeze construction of settlements on West bank and to resume peace talks with Palestine - this comes after a meeting in Moscow, Russia with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton. Time.com has more here.
Also expected to be announced soon is a U.S./Russia agreement on reduction of nuclear weapons.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the right hand margin.
