From Don Suber:
So the word was that Democratic leaders worried about the health of Democratic Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Byrd, whom they needed as a 60th vote to end any Republican filibuster.
On Wednesday, Byrd voted against cloture — meaning he sided with the Republican filibuster.
He was not alone.
In all, 12 Democratic senators and Joe Lieberman and every single Republican (yes, Senator Olympia Snowe voted against cloture) as Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid was humiliated.
He needed 60 votes. He got 47. A party leader never calls for a vote until he or she has the votes.
Who voted how is here. Note that Democratic Senator Jon Tester voted against a key component of the bill by fellow Montanan Max Baucus.
“Democrats lost a big test vote on health care legislation on Wednesday as the Senate blocked action on a bill to increase Medicare payments to doctors at a cost of $247 billion over 10 years… Democrats had hoped that by passing the Medicare bill they could appease doctors and secure their support for the broader legislation,” the New York Times reported.
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell: “In the Senate’s first vote on health care spending this year, a bipartisan majority rejected the Democrat leadership’s attempt to add another quarter-trillion dollars to the national credit card without any plan to pay for it. With a record deficit and a ballooning national debt, the American people are saying enough is enough.”
What has Uncle Donny been saying? Byrd could be an ally in stopping Obamacare. He killed Hillarycare 16 years ago. He just may have an inclination to do it again.
Or not.
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This great, fantastic news. No doubt he will not vote for the health care bill. the only chance that the dems have now is reconciliation (nuclear option). If they do that, game over. 2010 and 2012 will be a blowout!
Not too mention, the bill doesn’t go into effect until 2013, which means it can be stopped after the 2010 elections.
I suffer from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, which is considered “a pre-existing condition”. When I was able to work, I was covered by a group insurance plan that didn’t consider my condition a health problem that couldn’t be covered. But when I had to look for individual health insirance for my husband and myself, I was put on a ten year waiver before my diabetic condition would be covered. That is outrageous! First, the original doctor who was my doctor for hypothyroidism prescribed Valium (the latest wonder drug in 1966) without ever bothering to check my blood sugar. So my opinion of the medical establishment can’t be printed in public. But let’s just call them what they are: “Licensed Drug Pushers”. Now we’re seeing the corrupt insurance corporations looking to screw their clients even more. Captalism at it’s best. Yeah, right.
Susan…you might want to look at the Republican proposal (that has been held up in the committee since JULY). It does have a pre-existing clause…it also has tort reform and opens up interstate competition:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3400
You might be surprised to find many things you want in there. But the democrats will not let it out of committee.
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Is Sen. Byrd giving the “Black Power” salute or is that just my imagination?
Jokes, people, jokes…