Rep. Dennis Kucinich SELL OUT… Switches Health Care Vote
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Photo Credit FreakingNews.com
Even as he lambasted the Senate health care bill, Rep. Dennis Kucinich today said he woud vote “Yes” for the legislation in the House, becoming the first Democratic congressman who originally voted “No” to change course.
“I have doubts about the bill. I do not think it’s a step toward anything I’ve supported in the past. This is not the bill I wanted to support,” Kucinich, D-Ohio, said at a news conference today. “However, after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi, my wife Elizabeth and close friends, I have decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation.”
President Obama today weighed in on Kucinich’s switch after a press conference with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
“That’s a good sign,” the president said, when asked by reporters. “I told him ‘thank you.’”
While 15 other Democratic members of Congress remain undecided, and 21 say they will vote “No” on the health care bill, Kucinich’s vote is an important one for Democrats, signaling that even those who are staunchly opposed to the bill can be convinced to vote in its favor.
When asked if other skeptical Democrats will also reverse their decision, Kucinich replied: “If I can vote for this bill, there are not many other people who shouldn’t be able to support it.”
The former presidential candidate was one of the leading critics of the Senate health care bill, insisting that he wouldn’t vote for it unless it included the option of a government-run health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. The public option was included in the bill that first passed the House but was taken out in the Senate health care bill.
On ABC News’ “Top Line” last week, Kucinich called the current bill a “giveaway” to insurance companies and not “a bill for the American people.
“They know my position, and unless there’s some dramatic change in the content of the bill, I think they can predict how I’m going to vote,” Kucinich said then. His announcement today will likely come as a blow to liberal activists who are still lobbying for a public option.
Kucinich was invited by President Obama to travel with him to Ohio Monday on Air Force One. The liberal Democrat today said he had four separate meetings with the president to discuss the bill. Obama didn’t commit to a public option in the future but promised to work with him on his “broad concerns.”
As he ended the press conference, Kucinich said: “We have to be very careful that the potential of President Obama’s presidency not be destroyed by this debate. I feel that even though I have many differences with him on policy, there’s something much bigger at stake here for America and that’s what I’d like people to think about.”
Democrats continue to squabble amongst themselves about the contents of the health care bill but House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer today expressed confidence that there will be enough votes to pass the legislation.
“On every major piece of legislation we passed over the last year… we said we think we do [have the votes] and yes we did,” Hoyer, D-Md., said on “Good Morning America.” “We think we’ll have the votes when the roll is called.”
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor predicted that Democrats are unlikely to garner the 216 votes they need to vote on the Senate health care bill in the House.
“Obviously, they don’t have the votes yet. I know they’re working very hard,” Cantor, R-Va., said on “GMA.” “The problem is I think there’s a lot of uncertainty still surrounding this bill and frankly the American people, I think, think that there’s a better way.”
The White House wants the House to pass a bill by this Saturday, before President Obama departs for his international trip. If they are not able to garner enough votes, Democratic leaders have hinted they may employ a parliamentary maneuver dubbed as “deem and pass.”
The controversial procedure would allow House members to vote on health care changes without ever voting directly on the Senate bill. In this case, the House would vote on a “fix it” measure that would make changes to the Senate health care bill and then automatically, in the process, pass the bill without actually having to vote on it.
The procedure has been used 20 times over the last 30 years by both Democrats and Republicans, often on technical or unpopular measures like raising the debt limit, but never on one as big as health care reform.
Hoyer today defended the tactic as a “clean up or down vote,” even as some question its constitutionality.
“We’re going to have a clean up or down vote on the Senate bill, that will be on the rule,” Hoyer said. “This is not an unusual procedure. We’re going to vote on a rule.”
“Unfortunately, the Republicans are a little bit like the boy who killed his two parents and then wants sympathy because they’re an orphan. They’ve tried to stop the passage of this bill, slowed it up,” he added. “We’ll vote for the Senate bill in the rule, and then we will amend the Senate bill in the process.”
Cantor said the House rules allow for the use of this “deeming” provision but charged that the move Democrats are pondering is an attempt to fool the public.
“Again, when you’re dealing with a bill like this that will cost a trillion dollars and it will effect health care for every man, woman and child in this country, I don’t think you can fool the public,” Cantor said on “GMA.” “This is an attempt to hide the vote. There’s no doubt about it.”
With time running out, Democratic leaders met until late into the night, gearing up for the final battle over health care.
On Tuesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told reporters she is waiting on numbers from the Congressional Budget Office analyzing the cost of Obama’s health care bill, which proposes “fixes” to the Senate health care bill passed on Christmas Eve. But she reiterated that Democratic leaders will continue to fight for the health care bill despite objection from Republicans.
“We will do whatever is necessary to pass a health care bill,” said Pelosi, D-Calif.
The opposition has stepped up the heat on lawmakers. On Tuesday, tea party protestors gathered once again on Capitol Hill to denounce the bill. Holding signs and chanting “Kill The Bill,” the riled-up attendees took their protests into the halls of Congress, even though many lawmakers were not in their offices.
The Congressional switchboard was overloaded for most of the day after conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh gave out two toll-free numbers for the public to call and urge their lawmakers to vote against the bill.
Republicans are accusing Democrats of dirty tricks.
“Last year, they [Democrats] thought they could pass a bill without having to read it. This year they want us to pass a bill without having to vote on it,” Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., charged at a rally Tuesday.
Obama continues to call skeptical lawmakers to urge them to vote for the bill. In an exclusive interview with ABC News on Monday, he expressed confidence there will be enough votes in the House to pass the health care legislation.
“I believe we are going to get the votes, we’re going to make this happen,” Obama said in an interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Kucinich to Support Overhaul (online.wsj.com)
- Kucinich Switches Vote on Health Care (prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Rep. Kucinich to Support Health Bill (time.com)
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March 18, 2010 pm31 8:04 am
KILL!! THIS BILL – IF IT DOES NOT HAVE A STRONG GOVERNMENT-run PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE!!
ATTENTION!! – THEY NOW! HAVE 51 VOTES FOR A PUBLIC OPTION. DEMAND PASSAGE OF YOUR! PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE!
Tell Speaker Pelosi the public option is in her hands. Sign the petition: http://bit.ly/d8MqhL
The Problem http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/ny-times-reporter-confirm_b_500999.htmlThe
The Public Option http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBi8A_HutII&feature=player_embedded
From: jacksmith – WorkingClass
Rep. Alan Grayson: HR4789 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy2Y5Uevisk
WE THE PEOPLE OF The UNITED STATES – DEMAND!! an up or down vote on a Strong “GOVERNMENT-run” Public Option CHOICE!
Every member of Congress that fails to openly declare a YES vote for a Strong “GOVERNMENT-run” Public Option CHOICE! before reconciliation or any other healthcare vote, will be branded a NO vote against the Public Option. And a NO! vote against the American People and the World.
KNOW THIS!! We will RIP you from Office with such political ANGER! and BRUTALITY! that they will hear the Echoes of your parting screams for a 100 YEARS! You have a CHOICE! and AND SO DO WE. The PUBLIC OPTION!!
The Public Option http://tinyurl.com/yfftf76 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj54bU0YYnk
IGNORE THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT YOUR PERIL!!
TAKE THE VOTE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eob4GJSDKY
A LINE IN THE SAND -
Call your representatives and demand an answer. Do you or don’t you support a public option. Do you or don’t support democratic MAJORITY RULE! We DEMAND! to know.
YOU! are dying and suffering needlessly every day http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/27055
Why we need Government-run universal healthcare ASSURANCE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jng4TnKqy6A
My Fellow Americans and People Of The World
A strong Government-run MEDICARE like Public Option is STILL! CRITICAL!
We have had a long hard struggle to find out what would be the BEST! that this congress and the Whitehouse could do to fix our highly dangerous, poor quality, most costly, and MOST! disgraceful healthcare delivery system in the world. It is clear that congress can do much more for the American people than what is proposed so far.
It is clear that congress can pass a strong GOVERNMENT-run public option CHOICE. Available to everyone on day one. Expand Medicare and not levy any new taxes on workers healthcare benefits and plans. LET THIS BE YOUR LINE IN THE SAND!
Lastly, there can be NO! INDIVIDUAL MANDATES without a strong Government-run MEDICARE like Public Option CHOICE. Or the American people WILL! and SHOULD! revolt with an all out CIVIL WAR against congress and this Government.
House and Senate progressives and the tri-caucuses should aggressively push for the inclusion of a strong Public Option, Medicare expansion, and no new taxes on workers healthcare benefits and plans. If the obstructionist kill meaningful healthcare reform, it’s failure will be on the obstructionist heads. And they will be punished and replaced.
WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE, THIS BILL WILL KILL FAR MORE AMERICANS THAN IT WILL SAVE.
What is proposed in the Senate compromised bill is the worst case scenario for health-care reform. It would shift trillions of taxpayer, public and private dollars into the hands of the private insurance industry (The single most costly, deadly and dangerous product sold in America). And it would compel by law millions of Americans to financially support this oxymoronic criminal enterprise. You cant have a individual MANDATE WITHOUT A STRONG PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE!
You will have NO! realistic way of controlling cost and quality. Cost will continue soaring through the roof bleeding the American people dry, and KILLing our economy. And our quality of healthcare will continue to decline below our current ranking of “WORST! quality of healthcare delivery in the developed World”.
From the very start, the American people have been crystal clear about what they wanted. And the American people are CORRECT!! They wanted a humane single payer system like the rest of the developed world has (HR676). Or at least a humane strong GOVERNMENT-run public option CHOICE!! This is what the American people gave the democrats control of the house, control of the senate, and control of the Whitehouse to do. Including at one time a SUPER MAJORITY in the Senate.
Those of you that can, should prepare now to remove every member of congress that fails to support YOUR healthcare reform with a strong Public Option, Medicare expansion, and no new taxes on workers healthcare benefits and plans. Run against them in teams if you have to. But take them out. And replace them with a strong single payer or PRO PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE candidate.
Now! is the time to bring maximum pressure on your members of congress. Contact your representatives and spread the word.
H1N1 IS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION!
I have to tell you now that the H1N1 virus is a man-made WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION! and TERROR! It is a WEAPONIZED version of a flu virus. It has swept the planet infecting millions. And causing a global pandemic that has killed tens of thousands, and injured millions.
The H1N1 virus is the product of the DISGRACEFUL, GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX! It was released in the U.S. in Texas in early January of last year, but not recognized until around April 2009 in California. The reason I know this is because when it came to America, it came to see me FIRST! How sweet…
This was around the time the MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX! assaulted the Whitehouse with all their devils deals to cripple and weaken YOUR! healthcare reform. Especially your right to have a single payer system like HR676 (Medicare For All) which most of you wanted.
They don’t even want you to have your HUGE!!! compromise position of a strong government-run MEDICARE like Public Option CHOICE. To compete with their DISGRACEFUL, GREED DRIVEN, MURDEROUS, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT PRODUCT (The single most costly, deadly and dangerous product sold in America).
They also wanted to take away your rights to have your government meet it’s responsibility to use it’s full power to regulate, negotiate, and control drug cost, healthcare cost and quality. Something every other civilized country in the developed World has done for it’s people. Their Greed! moral degeneracy and lack of patriotism knows no bounds.
Many of you will remember that before we knew about H1N1. I posted a open message to the President and Congress warning them to be vigilant about their health, and cautious about any medical advice they received. As I said then “they will not hesitate to try and hurt you”.
The U.S. and the World have been under a BIOLOGICAL TERROR ATTACK! for over a year now. It is CRITICAL that We The People Of The United States take away control of our healthcare system from the GREED DRIVEN MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!
For our own National security, and the security of the world.
A Strong, government-run, MEDICARE like Public Option CHOICE. Available to everyone on day one, with the full unfettered power of the federal government to regulate, negotiate, and control cost and quality. Would be the most workable way to deal with this global crisis at this time. Including patent suspensions as needed for national security or the greater good.
As an American I invite the peoples of the World to help us fix our healthcare crisis. And bring pressure on our government to meet it’s responsibility to protect global security by controlling, and removing the corrupting influence of GREED and the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT motivations from healthcare in the U.S. and around the World.
I call on the governments of the World and the global intelligence community to track down these MASS MURDERERS, and bring them to justice. CONNECT THE DOTS! And be vigilant that they don’t slip in another viral strain on you under the cloak of H1N1 sequestration.
Further, the proposed patent protection on biologic’s must be stripped from the US bill. And greatly shorten/restricted, or abolished completely. This is a grave danger to humanity and global security.
We must be strong and insist that healthcare reform be done right for the American people. Or everyone loose’s.
This is all I can say in a message post. I’ll try to find a way to tell you more later.
God Bless You My Fellow Human Beings
jacksmith – Working Class
p.s. The so-called nominal H1N1 virus is designed in such a way as to make it more lethal to children and young adults. The medical community must be more vigilant of secondary bacterial infections in the young caused by H1N1. And remember, a viral infection is also a transfer of genetic code to you. Think about it, and be vigilant.
MADAM SPEAKER, tells it like it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S15BQgELDAQ
We Want A Strong Government-Run Public Option NOW!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSdU4zKOgjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-U6RV8oTMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPIPxjLH0DQ
The Voice Of TRUTH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIyUVltB0F4&feature=player_embedded
SHE’S BACK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn9-ktTz2Uw&feature=player_embedded
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/01/30/debbie-wasserman-schultz-senators-lied-about-supporting-public-option/
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/01/21/fixing-health-reform-through-the-reconciliation-sidecar-13-improvements-6-ways-to-save-money-4-important-benefits/
http://firedoglake.com/2010/01/21/ma-voters-seek-more-and-faster-change-economy-jobs-top-concern-taxing-health-insurance-very-unpopular-poll-says/
http://firedoglake.com/2010/01/21/ma-voters-seek-more-and-faster-change-economy-jobs-top-concern-taxing-health-insurance-very-unpopular-poll-says/
March 21, 2010 pm31 8:08 am
Not one person that I know appreciates the methods being used to pass this health care bill and the arrogance of the democratic leaders in doing this. I have heard that voters don’t remember….I believe this time they will since it is actually a slap in the face of all Americans. How can we express our desire that we NOT USE RECONCILIATION to pass this bill?
March 21, 2010 pm31 8:13 am
Wake up America you are being shafted daily
by the fat cat that spin you a lie
the big corporations run both the Republican and the Democrat/republican
party healthcare should be free to all AMERICANS not the few rich bastards
the pharmaceutical and the insurance companies are ripping you off