Obama: We Can Recess After The House And Senate Pass Health Care Legislation
In a Rose Garden health care speech this afternoon, President Obama reiterated a couple of key themes--that the House and Senate need to pass legislation before they break for recess in August, and that the White House isn't going to keep quiet until that time.
"We are going to be continually talking about this for the next two or three weeks until we've got a bill out of the Senate and we've got a bill out of the House," Obama said. "Then we'll deserve a few weeks rest before we come back and finally get a bill doen so we can sign it right here in the Rose Garden."
It seems as if the White House will be a constant presence in the lives of the senators and congressmen responsible for completing legislation until they make good on their commitments. See, for instance, his network news interviewed scheduled to air tonight.
You can read his entire remarks here.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
So he waits to see what Congress does without pressure, isn't satisfied, and is now applying pressure.
Cue the "But he should have been doing this all along" chorus. . .
July 15, 2009 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on both counts. I also think there was no need to weigh in so early. 2 of 3 bills are already done and we've got 3 weeks to get the third done. Baucus needs some pressure and he's getting it.
But there are people who are looking for things to criticize. There's been this constant "he's not pushing hard enough, he's trying to stay out of the fray." When he started pushing this week some of those same people said "Obama is pushing because he doesn't want them to take their time and get a good bill. He's on the side of insurers and big pharma."
July 15, 2009 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is waxman saying that he wants Congress to enact legislation by the end of this year, 2-3 months longer than expected?
July 15, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
One modification, CT....Obama is calling on those Americans who want reform of healthcare to weigh in with their Congress critters.
That's what just happened with the RN's--and that's what will happen tonight.
Congress is easily detested--and it is very easy to understand with the foot-dragging on this legislative effort. There are Senators who need to be replaced and there are folks writing down those names.
July 15, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, if we replace the senators who need replacing most (Nelson, Landrieu, Lincoln, Bayh, Conrad) we'll get something that will make us long to have them back again.
But we could definitely do better than Feinstein and Specter.
July 15, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bull. I think we need to take a two-pronged approach--targeting current GOP senators (or those like Arlen) and conservative Dems in the Senate (like Lieberman was targeted).
I'll take upheaval in our party over the complacency of those Senators who are not up to doing two things--a Supreme Court vote AND healthcare legislation. There's no valid reason to accept this sort of status quo.
July 15, 2009 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like he hasn't forgotten about the full-court press since his high school basketball days. I especially like the reiterated, subtle unspoken threats of asking for a delay of the recess- or if it comes to that calling a special session- if they don't get on the stick. That's Chicago-style arm twisting I can believe in. Please keep it coming, Mr. President.
July 15, 2009 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, he said nothing about the DATE of the Recess he said AFTER a bill is passed you can take your few weeks off.
July 15, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Its about damn time!
July 16, 2009 3:18 AM | Reply | Permalink