Senate Finance Committee Set To Propose Co-ops...So Where's Chuck Schumer?
It's safe to say that reformers are unhappy, though hardly shocked, about the news coming out of the Senate Finance Committee. But it's hard to know exactly how bad things are. One data point that may ultimately clarify things, though, is the way Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reacts to the developments, if and when that happens.
But that's just the thing. For the last few weeks, Schumer has been notably silent.
Months ago, Schumer was tapped to be the point man for the public plan in the Finance Committee. And for a long time, he was very visible in that role--swatting down weak alternatives to the public option, and predicting that the final legislation would contain a government plan. But at some point the momentum changed.
Schumer said he'd likely oppose--and urge other Democrats to oppose--any co-operative proposal that didn't fulfill most, if not all, of the aims a public option is supposed to fulfill. Now, though, it seems all but certain that the Finance Committee will propose a co-op op plan of some sort, and Schumer's reaction to it would be a telling--though perhaps not definitive--measure of the amount of support it might receive among a great number of Democrats in the Senate.
But first, of course, he has to weigh in. To this point, all inquiries to his office have gone unanswered. Obviously, the terms of the bill have not been finalized, and it's not completely surprising that he hasn't weighed in yet. But inquiring minds would like to know what he thinks of where things stand right now.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Not just Schumer..you got DiFI, Tim Johnson, etc that should be called for comment and get them on the record now! Come on TPM be aggressive and get some Senators on the record now!
July 28, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't look to DiFi to come out in support of the Public Option. got this last week after sending her a harsh note after her prior lack of support for the Public Option:
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Dear Mr. Williams:
Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform and providing a public health care option. I appreciate the time you took to write and welcome the opportunity to respond.
I believe that there is much room for improvement in our nation's healthcare system. However, I believe that health care reform should not increase the federal deficit. I am deeply concerned about the large number of individuals and families in our country who do not have access to quality healthcare. This is a problem that touches every community and must be addressed at many different levels, including the Federal, State and local government. This problem is especially acute in California, where nearly 7 million people are uninsured.
The escalating cost of some premiums continues to make obtaining health insurance difficult, if not impossible, for many Americans. I am working hard to remove existing barriers to health care so that all Americans have access to the services they require.
One of the many proposals being considered to reform our system is to create a health care plan that is publically operated. Please know that I am reviewing all health care reform options and I will keep your comments in mind as the Senate continues to work to improve health care for all Americans.
Again, thank you for writing. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
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This part:
"One of the many proposals being considered to reform our system is to create a health care plan that is publically operated."
Pretty much cops to being in support of the Co-Op Plan.
John
July 28, 2009 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
she's a fucking bitch and I live in California and will spend as much money as I can afford to defeat this old bitch. She's done.
July 28, 2009 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't understand Schumer being against it? Are you sure?
July 28, 2009 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
How many Republicans/Nelsons on the committee does Baucus's "compromise" have voting for it? Could it pass committee even without Schumer's support?
And what holds back the overall bill worse? A poisoned version passing out of the Finance committee? Or failing to get out of the Finance committee altogether?
July 28, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they're just trying to get it out of committee and out of Baucus' hands so they can move on.
Baucus is so wrapped up in getting repug love that he's not going to move until he gives away the store to them for 1-2 votes.
I pray that once it gets out of committee, the dems will prevail. I also pray that Baucus chokes on a pretzel over the break and gets replaced as finance chair and senator from Montana.
July 28, 2009 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just have this feeling that the Pres is just waiting to see what kind of bill they send him and if it doesn't have the public option he will veto it and use the reconciliation process. I say this because of something David Axelrod said about a month ago on MTP.
I hope I am right. This is a very important issue to the President and he's way too smart to let these people railroad him.
July 28, 2009 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I seem to recall that Finance Committee "rules" required one minority member's vote to get a bill out of committee. If that's true, then Baucus needs one Republican.
Wonder what would happen if we had 75-80 Democrats in the Senate? Just sayin'.....
July 28, 2009 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same shit would happen. We'd have more Conrads and Nelsons and Bayahs and Blue Dogs.
Ezra nails it here:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/07/a_litmus_test_for_government.html
Our form of government is decayed and corrupt. In the end for all the action we take in places like TPM, KOS, ThinkBlue, ActBlue, etc... it's just a circle jerk. In the long run we are wasting our time. :/
John
July 28, 2009 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink