Webb Says He’ll Vote For Cloture On Health Care Reform Bill
Webb Says He’ll Vote For Cloture On Health Care Reform Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will announce this afternoon that he plans to include a public option in the Senate health care reform bill and that it will allow states to opt out, “even though he’s currently short several votes” of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster.
Yesterday on CNN, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) called the public option with an opt out provision “an interesting concept” but pointedly refused to endorse it. He said the “best approach” would be “to have not-for-profit insurance companies.” However, Webb also said that he will not let his personal views get in the way of the Senate having an up or down vote on the public option:
WEBB: One thing that I did say to the leader is that I will vote to proceed forward to debate. That doesn’t mean that I will necessarily at this time commit myself to voting for the result of that debate.
HOST JOHN KING: If [Reid] needs 60, he has your vote?
WEBB: We need to have the debate.
Watch it:
Last week, an aide to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said that Lieberman — who opposes a public option — is also “inclined” to vote for a motion to proceed. Similarly, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) recently said, “I’m not right now inclined to support any filibuster.”
But other Democratic Senators are on the fence. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) — who has gone back and forth on hints of support for the opt out provision — said on CNN yesterday, “I can’t decide about the procedural vote until I see the underlying bill.” A spokesperson for Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) said “she will have to see the legislative language and cost first” before voting for cloture. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) has not indicated what his intentions are.
But when asked recently if he would support a GOP filibuster of health care reform, Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) replied, “I don’t think you’ll see me or any other Democrats do that.”
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Reid is so spineless he shames jellyfish
October 26th, 2009 at 3:24 pmReid is right now saying a public option with an opt-out bill is on the way. He said he “believes in a public option”. Co-ops will also be included.
I’m watching this on FOX. I must be feeling masochistic today.
Or I’m losing my mind.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:29 pmThis doesn’t surprise. Webb can’t be considered a “progressive” on most issues, but he knows when not to play politics. When all is said and done, I think he’ll actually vote for the final bill.
And, Reid–spineless as he is–seems to be getting things done. One way or another, though, he’s out as Majority Leader come 2011. I’d rather not see an extra GOP seat in NV, but if it means Majority Leader Durbin, so be it.
Neither Lincoln nor Landrieu nor Nelson will actually support a filabuster (and i’m positive Bayh wouldn’t). Doubtful any of them would vote for the final bill, but they realize they still have a D next to their name, and both Lincoln and Bayh are facing re-election.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:30 pmThe Demmies need to change the rules such that you lose all seniority if you side with the opposition on a procedural vote.
I don’t care if the blue dogs or whoever wants to vote against the bill, but they should be counted on to ensure an up or down vote.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:35 pmgenerally speaking, most current republicans need to be thrown in jail and most democrats need to be thrown a beating.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pmI’d rather not see an extra GOP seat in NV, but if it means Majority Leader Durbin, so be it.
I’m with ya there. Being from IL, I’ve always been partial to Durbin and have much respect for him and the positions he’s taken over the years. And I don’t believe he’s afraid to speak his mind or crack a few heads if needed. He may be more responsible for Obama running for president than anyone – they might be inclined (togethor with Nancy Pelosi) – to actually deliver the kind of change we’ve been promised.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pmtime to pony up, use the 60 votes to avoid a filibuster, take a vote and let the chips fall where they may.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pmReid is rounding up the votes for cloture because the bill will have a public option and even if there is an opt out, some Dems are not going to vote for it. There are 60 votes needed for cloture, but Reid should let the Republicans stall for a while and see what public opinion is saying about the stalling. The public opinion may turn on the Republicans and Blue Dogs and neither can afford a backlash over their tactics.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pmspearNmagicHelmet says:
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generally speaking, most current republicans need to be thrown in jail and most democrats need to be thrown a beating.
At the very least.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pmAny bill that passes without a strong robust public option will be seen as a betrayal of the American public as evinced by the continuing uproar on the issue after it has been pronounced dead and revived repeatedly over the last several months .
October 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pmThe fact that ,despite the administrations denials , it has been widely reported that the president is either not putting political capital behind the public option or prefers the most water down versions of the public option , such as triggers is bad for both the democrats in the mid terms and his own re election chances .
Wise up Rahm .
Remind me again why we don’t already have a public option? I mean aside from the fact that it takes money away from insurance companies.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:49 pmGee, thanks Jim. It’s beyond belief that there is even a question of Democrats filibustering Democrats. Too bad Harry Reid can’t channel LBJ.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:49 pm“I can’t decide about the procedural vote until I see the underlying bill.”
What that should say is, “I can’t decide about the procedural vote until my masters in the insurance agency tell me what to do…”
October 26th, 2009 at 3:51 pmThe Democrats need to be repeating ad nauseum that the vote for cloture just means having and ending the debate, allowing that famous up-or-down vote that the Republicans pushed for all those years. Reid and the other Democratic Senators in favor of a public option need to be pressuring the Blue Dog Democrats to side with the majority on the procedural vote, even if they can’t in good conscience vote for the final bill’s passage.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:52 pmMy fear about electoral reprisals against the Blue Dogs is that many come from district that weren’t represented by the most rational of politicians. The somewhat obstructionist Blue Dogs (Minnick, Kratovil, Childers, Ross, et.al.) replaced extreme reactionary Republicans. Remember Bill Sali, who threw a fit because he had to serve with a Muslim? There’s Andy Harris, who unseated relatively moderate Repub Wayne Gilchrest only to lose to Kratovil (who’s record is marginally more leftist than Gilchrist’s), Travis Childers replaced Roger Wicker (so far to the right, he sponsored a Constitutional amendment declaring fetuses protection under the 14th amendment), Mike Ross took out Jay Dickey (Arkansas’ Ahmadinejad. Claimed there were no homosexuals in his district)…and so on.
The midterms can lead to some pretty drastic shifts. Expect the ultra-conservatives to win primaries in the GOP and, if the Blue Dogs are kicked around too much, they might waltz to victory.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:53 pmWell, looks like we can count on at least one of the two Senators from Walmart to vote for cloture. We really shouldn’t let Blanche get away with this, though. She’s up for re-election and all of the pressure is coming from her right, so I seriously doubt she’ll vote for the underlying bill (we’re woefully losing the air-war here in Arkansas–it’s almost non-stop “Keep your socialized medicine away from my Medicare” and “Vote No on the new ‘Health Care Tax’” ads on Little Rock cable, and that’s in the progressive part of the state), but no Dem should be able to filibuster their own party and get away with it. She needs national help to hang onto that seat, and we need to be very clear that she’s on her own if she screws us during a cloture vote.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:58 pmDamn. The more I read about Wicker’s record, the more I fear for the state of Mississippi. This guy is a Christo-Fascist.
http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Roger_Wicker.htm
October 26th, 2009 at 3:59 pmI wish we could put an end to the Democrats’ endless hand-wringing about the possibility of a GOP filibuster. Right now, they’re giving the Republicans all the advantage of a filibuster without making them pony up any political capital for it.
Reid needs to move forward and if the Republicans filibuster, they filibuster. But if they do, it’s going to cost them. A filibuster will make news. And a spotlight will be shone on them, exposing them for the obstructionists they are.
And come November 2010, it will give the Democrats a great deal of ammunition for reminding the American people of who’s making it difficult for them to afford health care.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:59 pmEnnuiDivine says:
The midterms can lead to some pretty drastic shifts. Expect the ultra-conservatives to win primaries in the GOP and, if the Blue Dogs are kicked around too much, they might waltz to victory.
It is premature to suggest any drastic shift in the midterms. If the Dems get health care done with some provisions kicking in before the elections and the jobless rate stabilizes and/or comes down, the Dems will keep control. Anything can happen between now and election, e.g. stock market crash, which will dramatically change the result. But likewise, the unforseen event can also work against the Republicans. Major shifts in public opinion without an event are unusual.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pmEnnuiDivine says:
Good points. My Blue Dog Democrat Representative defeated the well known Republican Bob Ney and his reelection is not at all a certainty. He has been getting grief from constitutents even though he has been trying to be very moderate. However, I still think these Blue Dogs need to vote for cloture, telling their constituents they believe in the fair “up or down vote” concept.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pmWet noodle Reid is just beyond nauseating. I’m sorry, I’m just irritated by this Senate Majority Leader that needs to be replaced pronto. I’m beyond irritated when Reid constantly harp on getting 60 votes and his constant flip flopping on including public option in the final healthcare reform bill. I know that the final healthcare reform bill will not be perfect and I am not expecting it to be perfect. But, Reid, the rest of the DINOs, and the Party of No simply don’t want the American people to have the same healthcare coverage that Congress and Senate have. It boggles the mind as 40k + folks die from lack of healthcare insurance and the folks that do have healthcare insurance can’t afford the high premium. Someone should tell Reid, Senate, and Congress [as well as the American people] to re-read the U.S. Constitution where it said:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness
October 26th, 2009 at 4:01 pmOur elected officials in Washington D.C are quick to support any bill or resolution to drop bombs or launch missiles on defenseless people around the world but they sure have a difficult time helping sick and dying Americans who are crying for help.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:02 pmYeah, my point being that the Blue Dogs are willing to vote for cloture.
As to the shifts in Congress, it’s inevitable. The ruling party ALWAYS loses seats in a midterm election. Blue Dogs in conservative districts are going to be vulnerable, so expect some blustering and grandstanding, but ultimately, those in the Senate will back cloture. Those in the House likely won’t support health reform, but they’re not nearly as bad as the ultra-cons waiting in the wings
October 26th, 2009 at 4:05 pmOh goody…we’re gonna have a debate. That’ll save lives.
/snark
When will we get a public option and healthcare reform and an end to the illness industry antitrust law?
October 26th, 2009 at 4:05 pmBombs are more profitable than compassion del .The bottom line in washington is the same as on wall street . That why single payer as Mr. Webb points out is not being offered .
October 26th, 2009 at 4:06 pmhosts on progressive radio begged for money during election ‘06 in order for Webb to win the Senate seat over Allen. Back then, I probably sent money for the cause.
Now we are hearing such crap as We need a debate concerning health care?
A debate whether or not HC insurance co’s can continue to extort and harm the public?
October 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pmMSNBC announced there is a single bill with opt out that is going to the CBO and then to the floor of the Senate. Reid appears to have a consensus on the bill and cloture. Now we just need to wait and see how the debate evolves.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pmAt a press conference this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that “we intend to include” a public option in the Senate bill “with an opt-out provision for states.”
And the House negotiators will strip it out during the reconciliaton process. This just feels like Harry, politically posturing for his fence-sitting constituents. His isn’t the final word on the matter, so all the handwringing is premature.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pmUSNclerk says:
Remind me again why we don’t already have a public option? I mean aside from the fact that it takes money away from insurance companies.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:12 pm…………………
Because it takes money away from insurance companies that fund the democrats war chests in an election cycle ?
BEST GOV’T MONEY CAN BUY !!!
The opt out option should be on an individual basis, not a state wide basis. If people don’t want to use a public option, it should be up to every individual. Letting states do it amounts to discrimination.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:12 pmThe House will not strip out the opt out provision. It is a compromise between the moderate and left wing factions. The best part will be watching the state politicians push to opt out. They will have to face their constituents. The opt out will require the states to have an alternate plan and that will cost a lot of dollars. The choice is opt out and spend a lot of money or let the feds run the prog with fewer costs to the states.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:13 pmReid freudian slip at the beginning of this clip and his wry smile upon making it is priceless !
October 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pmThere is an aspect of having a public option, especially if it is along the lines of Medicare-E, that will really get the free market types wound up.
What happens when a hospital or medical facility decides they are tired of fighting with the mountains of paperwork, the indeterminable delays in payments and says, sorry, we don’t accept private insurance. If you want to deal with them, go ahead, we want either Medicare-E or cash. Thanks for playing.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:21 pmHarry Reid from the clip above :
October 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm” All the national polls show a wide majority of Americans support the public option ” .
According to the CBO the stronger the public option the lower the cost to the tax payer .
What more need to be said ? The debate is only about saving the corporations profits at the expense of the taxpayers wishes and savings ! What could be more obvious !!!
GOT DEMOCRACY ?
Washington thinks your sleeping , are you ?
October 26th, 2009 at 4:25 pmMAKE the Republicans filibuster. MAKE them sit up there for DAYS talking with all of America seeing who is stopping a meaningful healthcare reform. Show Americans the TRUE FACE of the GOP
October 26th, 2009 at 4:26 pmNo nor am I inclined to make stuff up…
October 26th, 2009 at 4:30 pmHoodathunk says:
What happens when a hospital or medical facility decides they are tired of fighting with the mountains of paperwork, the indeterminable delays in payments and says, sorry, we don’t accept private insurance.
I don’t think the providers will stop seeing people with private insurance. But I do think the providers are going to demand changes. The large providers negotiate a discount if the bill is paid within 30 or 60 days. The small providers are already dealing with the paperwork and delays from the private companies. Small providers will just see a gradual shift to the public insurance which will pay claims a lot quicker while the private continue their delaying tactics.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pmThe more I hear, the weaker the public option seems to be. I’m trying to hold of on commenting till we have some solid results – but that may be a while.
My only concern, if it’s watered down too much, just what kind of reform will it be?
October 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pmI always wondered why people were so impressed with Webb. To me he’s always been one step up from a Republican, which he used to be.
But, it looks like enough of Landreau and Nelson’s constituents have let them know that if they support a Republican filibuster of health care reform, they may end up unemployed. They are welcome to vote against the bill when it comes up for a vote (at their own peril), but they are NOT welcome to vote with the Republicans to stop a vote.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:59 pmMOstly lurking
We GET that you are so stupid you beleive whatever Rush TELLS you to think. That is YOUR burden to bear. The GOP is lockstep in opposition to any healthcare reform and desperate to distance itself from responsibility for doing so. That is why people MUCH smarter than you will ever be came up with the LAME talking point that though the GOP is SOLIDLY against any reasonable reform it is the DEMS fault if reasonable reform doesnt pass. It is stupid. You have to be as stupid as an dustmite to take it seriously. Its OK. We get that you are a brainwashed moron who cant even conceive of thinking for yourself so repeating ignorant garbage like that is all you can do. We appreciate the free clown show. I just LOVE to laugh at morons as stupid as you
October 26th, 2009 at 7:15 pm‘The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States
So….. if the states UNIFORMLY have the option to not be .. uniform.. that counts?
oddly enough.. I feel his compromise is unconstitutional. If the states chose such an action on their own.. that’s one thing – but for the federal government to force them into a non-uniform situation.. that doesn’t seem to agree with article 1..
October 26th, 2009 at 7:59 pmRich H says:
My only concern, if it’s watered down too much, just what kind of reform will it be?
I understand your concern… but what it will be – is a start.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:02 pm