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Rockefeller To Cornyn: You're In The Insurance Industry's Pocket

Rachel Slajda | September 24, 2009, 6:17PM

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Health Care, Jay Rockefeller, John Cornyn, John Rockefeller, Senate Finance Committee

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The Senate Finance Committee markup of its health care reform bill has had a few heated moments over the past few days. But this one, spotted by Think Progress, caught our eye.

Discussing one of Sen. John Cornyn's (R-TX) amendments, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) said, "If there's anything which is clear, it's that the insurance industry is not running this markup, but it is running certain people in this markup."

He went on to say that Cornyn's amendment -- one that would add caveats to an employer mandate -- "is about giving subsidies to insurance companies... instead of giving it, helping people. This is the grandfather of all grandfathers."

"With all due respect, Senator, I don't know what amendment you're referring to --," Cornyn said.

"I'm referring to yours," Rockefeller said.

"You're certainly not referring to my amendment --," Cornyn said.

"I am," Rockefeller said.

Video after the jump.

Comments (12) | Join the Conversation!

Recommend Recommend (3)

markg8

September 24, 2009 6:39 PM

Would have liked to have seen the whole clip but clearly Rockefeller had him back on his heels. I wanna see more of this from Dem senators.

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JohnMcCSF

September 24, 2009 6:56 PM

Rocky!
{Nelson's Campaign button '68}

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plan69

September 24, 2009 7:01 PM

Mr Rockefeller, where should I send my campaign contribution!

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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve

September 24, 2009 7:56 PM

Damn. I don't know that I've ever heard any one say something like that in a hearing. And it's coming from a guy who was himself vilified as being in Big Telecom's pocket during the FISA flap, which tends to make me think he was sincerely outraged rather than just posturing.

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gharlane

September 25, 2009 9:37 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve

Of course, as Wired's Ryan Singel documented at the time, Jello Jay was,/i> in the pocket of Big Telecom. This makes his current comments somewhat... ironic. But I'll take what I can get from Jello Jay.

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Marioth

September 24, 2009 9:36 PM

Hmmmm...when it matters most -- during actual markup of actual legislation -- we seem to be gaining momentum through strength of argument.

Had the GOP not gone from zero to nazi in August, they might've had some arguments left.

Slapping back Cornyn for corruption, and Kyle for grandstanding, we seem to have legislation in motion.

As was, I believe, the plan all along.

Also, I saw Bubbuh's glowing remarks of the Big O's pause in Afghanistan. "He's right on the merits," said Bill, and that is sealed in gold.

Does anyone else see the pincer move coming? HCR on one side, and war strategy shift on t'other? When they come together, off goes the head on any hopes of a 2010 GOP comeback.

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JohnW1141

September 25, 2009 6:40 AM

As any rational person can see, the Repugs are trying to slow walk the bill to death. The Dems need to attack them the way Rockefeller did. You can't treat these cretins respectfully, they see it as a sign of weakness and it simply emboldens them.

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wvbiker

September 25, 2009 8:58 AM

I am very proud of my Senator Jay Rockefeller these days.

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wvbiker

September 25, 2009 8:59 AM

I am very proud of my Senator Jay Rockefeller these days.

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Tanjaoui

September 25, 2009 9:36 AM in reply to wvbiker

You're right to be. Where is mine (Kerry)? You can't be too strident in defense of an essentially modest proposal: let people decide (choose) whether or not a government insurance plan comes in at better value for money than whatever private policies are on offer. It's an option, a fair competition: who can do health care better, the government or for-profit companies? Let the chips fall where they may. Get behind this, Senators!

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