Enzi: There's No September 15 Health Care Deadline
Last week, after admitting that his failing health care negotiations won't produce reform legislation in the Senate Finance Committee before August recess, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) erected a new deadline--September 15--and now, he says, he'll produce a bill with or without Republicans.
That bill may have to be written "without Republicans."
"I have not and will not agree to an artificial deadline because I am committed to getting healthcare reform right, not finishing a bill by some arbitrary date," said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) in a statement today. Enzi's one of six key Finance Committee negotiators hashing out a consensus bill. He's also a deeply conservative Republican, under pressure from leaders in his party to slow down or kill discussions--and he appears to be doing a bang-up job.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
This is one arrogant guy. F@!k him!
August 3, 2009 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is Mike Enzi, R-Least Populus State.
So not only is he a member of the irrelevant party he is from the least relevant state in the union!
August 3, 2009 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember: Ya can't spell AMericA without the AMA!
August 3, 2009 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"...I am committed to getting healthcare reform right..." said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)
So does that mean there's actually some circumstances under which you're willing to vote for cloture on a health care reform bill, Mike?
Cuz I mean, "getting healthcare reform right" seems to me to imply you actually are in favor of health care reform.
Or does "getting healthcare reform right" mean "watering it down, voting against it, then taking credit for it after the Democrats pass it despite your vote"?
August 3, 2009 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
My money's on answer #2.
O/T: thanks for your comments awhile back about the 60 vote threshold for amendments (particularly the loathsome Thune amendment).
Which thankfully didn't pass, now that I think about it, or we'd have busloads of heavily armed teabaggers moving from state to state.
August 3, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Getting it right" = Luntzspeak for "obstruct the bill."
August 3, 2009 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR MAX BAUCUS! HE'S GOT REAL CLOUT!
August 3, 2009 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is good. It will embolden democrats to go around Baucus because it shows that the republicans are just fucking with him and stalling endlessly.
Enzi is pushing Baucus around by playing a hand he doesn't have. Everybody else has figured that out.
August 3, 2009 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even better, it gives Schumer, Pelosi et al a greenlight to bypass Baucus entirely, pass a strong bill in the House then use reconciliation the same way the GOP did for the last decade or so (only for good and not evil). Assuming Reid doesn't grow a pair for the sole purpose of supporting Max the Maroon.
August 4, 2009 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
What this doesn't reflect is that Enzi was stroking his pinky ring as he said "get it right", suggesting that Baucus would be getting an offer he couldn't refuse.
Seriously, this guy thinks pinky rings are still fashionable for men. Does anyone really think he has a clue what a good health care bill looks like?
August 4, 2009 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're not fooling anyone, senator (except maybe Max Baucus.)
August 4, 2009 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am confused. Why does Enzi think he needs to agree to the deadline? Baucus put him on the deadline, not the other way around. By saying this, doesn't Enzi basically just give Baucus the green light to proceed without him?
August 4, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink