
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) wasn't the only member left speechless by a hard Democratic retort at today's health care summit. House Minority Leader John Boehner and Rep. David Camp (R-MI) were given a stiff rebuke by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for falsely characterizing the Democrats' health care reform proposals.
To Boehner, Pelosi set the record straight on the question of public funding of abortion. "The law of the land is there is no public funding of abortion, and there is no public funding of abortion in these bills and I don't want our listeners or viewers to get the wrong impression," she said.
And to Camp, she insisted his claims about the bills' proposed cuts to Medicare were false. "You said that the Medicare cuts in this bill cut benefits for seniors," Pelosi said. "They do not. They do not."
Watch:
The House health care bill prevents women who receive federal assistance to buy health insurance from purchasing any policy that covers abortions. The Senate bill takes multiple steps to make sure that federal dollars and private dollars are segregated, and requires that only private funds be directed to abortion services.
Both health care bills raise money by ending government overpayments to Medicare Advantage policies and redirecting those funds toward federal subsidies.
Africanlivedit
February 25, 2010 7:15 PM
I wish Pelosi was this hardcore on every piece of Dem legislation!
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Chris
February 25, 2010 7:15 PM
Wow that's real stern. I bet every media outlet picks up on Pelosi's shellacking.
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Overreach THIS!
February 26, 2010 1:28 AM in reply to Chris
I heard the accusation of including abortion funding. It was strident, with righteous outrage. Also false, according to Pelosi. TPM clip of Pelosi is much too short to really assess, a typical TPM error I have mentioned before.
But the lie sounded more impassioned than the correction, according to what is in front of me right now.
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toxophilite
February 25, 2010 7:39 PM
I'm 99.99% sure this video will not make it to Fox - they seem to be allergic to facts they don't like.
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GTFOOH
February 25, 2010 7:47 PM
I kind of understand why some people would want to be members of the Republican party. But, I can't for the life of me understand why they would want the current gang representing them! They are the biggest bunch of clowns...and if Michael Steele isn't Bozo...
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toxophilite
February 25, 2010 7:59 PM in reply to GTFOOH
My family have been lifelong Republicans. Some of them were embarrassed by Bush II, but didn't get off the wagon, just stood on the edge and contemplated the ground. They had problems with his fiscal extravagances in particular. Currently one has declared himself a Libertarian of sorts, although he doesn't care for Ron Paul, one is totally around the bend and has become one with Beck, and another has Tea Party leanings although she'd never go out and carry stupid signs. A sane brother is disgusted with the whole mess, but will never come over to the good side, and Mom's in her 90s and wishes for the good old days of Newt. Not a one touts the Republican horn per se - I think they're waiting for the return of sanity, although I can't say they're helping the speed of said return. None of them are going to vote Democrat ever. Go figure.
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storm
February 25, 2010 8:05 PM in reply to toxophilite
which is the good side?
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toxophilite
February 25, 2010 8:27 PM in reply to storm
An excellent question. I'd go with the Democrats even when I feel like throttling one or more. Mom's asked me more than once how I got so far "off track," and what I don't tell her is that I derailed as soon as I figured out it wasn't all about me. Democrats certainly have their faults, but I would sum up the Democratic stand as "for the good of all," and the Republican message as "more for me and none for you." Forget the stuff about spending, that's all a ruse. Really, all those years as a Girl Scout warped me forever.
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JNagarya
February 25, 2010 8:54 PM in reply to storm
Are you that uninformed? Stupid? Retarded?
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mJJ
February 25, 2010 9:22 PM in reply to JNagarya
Actually I am also a Republican but I have been livid about the turn in Republican's governing so i am always complaining to my Republican Rep. and Senator. I thought that George Bush Sr. was a great President, George Junior was a truly disgusting President and to date. Republicans continue to muck our country. But alas, your comment is a great reason why I am no longer a dedicated Republican. I can not stand the idea that apparently to be a good Republican, one has no right to think for one's self and to go against the party if they think the party is just WRONG. But you certainly have a right to your opinion but so does every one else. But keep it up and the Republican Party will get smaller and smaller. But I shall remain a Republican but one that is true to our traditional values.
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toxophilite
February 25, 2010 11:39 PM in reply to JNagarya
Well, thank you, J. That was a really thoughtful response. Perhaps I could introduce you to my "around the bend" brother. The two of you communicate in much the same way.
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JNagarya
February 26, 2010 11:49 PM in reply to toxophilite
My response was to "storm".
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
February 25, 2010 8:09 PM in reply to toxophilite
I know a lot of rank and file Republicans like your brother, sitting around waiting for a return to sanity. They remind me of people who sit around in East Kentucky waiting for coal jobs that were eaten by mechanization and strip mining to return. It isn't ever going to happen but the idea of leaving the homeplace and looking for work outside the mountains is just too terrifying to contemplate, so they live in a fantasy. It's simultaneously exasperating and poignant.
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wbgonne
February 26, 2010 8:05 AM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Steve:
I do think the GOP will regain its sanity. But not until they realize that the anti-government Conservative movement is spent. They are like drunks who haven't hit bottom yet.Naturally, they won't realize this -- and it won't even be true, technically -- until the Repubs get clobbered in a few more elections. To put it mildly, the Democrats have an obligation to hasten this process.
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lousgirl84
February 26, 2010 9:57 AM in reply to toxophilite
Wow, a picture of my family!! Believe me, I share your frustration.
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bluebell
February 25, 2010 8:43 PM
I know a lot of Republicans like that too and most of them seem to be secretly wishing Democrats would pass some safety net legislation that would help them out!
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ivy22
February 25, 2010 8:59 PM
Well, you got your Greek tragedy, you got your Punch and Judy show, you got the Soupy Sales Show, you got your Hamlets and Othellos. After looking at the theatrics of the Republicans today, we have no drama, no comedy, just a farce. How sad for our country. I hope voters remember today and NEVER vote for any of this current crop of conservative bozos.
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tpmreader
February 25, 2010 9:01 PM
I thought it was a great precedent that our President hosted that will hopefully lead to further and similar if necessary communications for resolve.
As these contributors having successfully identified many of the concerning issues, I was sadly dismayed that more progress for resolve was not accomplished, especially as it appears relatively easy to accomplish.
1) Please note that my view a so-called Public Option is already in place and for many decades and will presumably and presumptiously remain in place regardless and/or within many of the expressed concerns.
2) Please, the philosophy you must look forward and not look back must be completely abolished. There must be proper and forthright 'Oversight and Accountability' and especially the resumption of our Civil Rights and within the 'Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Restoration Act'. Also, the 'Presidential Powers and Its Limitations' 'Impeachment Hearings' must properly and forthrightly immediately continue.
3) Most importantly the Illegal wars, Torture, FISA suppresion, Illegal Wiretaps, Illegal Detention, Illegal Rendition, Illegal Death Penalty Application and Threat thereof, Mental health abuses and many other travisties and a host of other Fraud, Waste and Abuse issues must immediately be resolved. Also the reinstatement of Habeas Corpus and the Glass Stegal and repeal of the Commodity Futures and Billings/Gramm Act must be applied. Fidicary Duty to Wall Street and Shareholders//Stakeholders must not override Patient Health and Patient Care or any other Industry.
I do not believe that to wait until the next elections is the most reasonable option. I believe that our US President and US Legislative Leaders could appoint and/or instruct the Executive Branch Attorney General to immediately have 'Oversight and Accountability' and with immediate Impeachment processes and/or instructions and support thereof to our US Senate and Congressional Committees and on many of the grounds that have been stated above.
This is a hurriedly written response that may need some modifications, corrections and/or further explanations for review. My focus was to compliment all on their seemingly great precedent progress today and too hope that a more full and complete advantage be given to the restoration of our US Constitutional, Bill of Rights, Civil Rights Democracy and our Declaration of Independence with Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for all.
Thank you.
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mans_best_friend
February 25, 2010 9:14 PM in reply to tpmreader
And bowling balls don't have legs.
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tpmreader
February 25, 2010 9:17 PM in reply to tpmreader
Also and seemingly most important and that I forgot to mention is that;
Hopefully our Elected President and Democratic Leaders will give more comprehension and support role to their supporters.
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tpmreader
February 25, 2010 11:42 PM in reply to tpmreader
One more expression and as many of the invited Speakers at today precedent President Barack Obama Health Care discussion have also stated and expressed.
I also am very proud and honored to note the superb and excellent, kind and gracious, patient and tolerant discussion that President Obama bravely and courageously publically hosted and moderated.
Hopefully the invited Speakers and many others whom also where to some extent polite and eloquent will take note of this seemingly exceptional opportunity to more fully cooperate on behalf of 'We the People' and humanity to entertain further and reasonable discussions for the resolve of these issues and the other seemingly issues I have again and previously mentioned and for further discussions, as reasonably available, appropriate and necessary.
(My apologies, although as I noted that Boehmer in the recess publically announced, seemingly for News Media attention his independent judgement and verdict on the Health Care).
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tpmreader
February 26, 2010 3:52 PM in reply to tpmreader
In view of my previous blog comment replies on this Article and upon recollection of my years of prior blog comment replies I thought it reasonable to ad the following;
Has this Health Care Discussion to some extent been all a hoodwink, disingenuous and/or dishonest as;
1) The major and over-riding issue in my view remains and that was most notably not disscussed in this so-called Health Care Discussion. In Testimony to the US Senate Judicary Committee years ago by a Kaiser Doctor and seemingly under full imunity and seemingly concurred is that Hospitals, Doctors et all in the Health Care Industry have a obligation to Wall Street and Shareholders//Stakeholders before Patient Care and a Patients Life.
2) The Public Option is to a viable extent already in many facets of our US health care systems and seemingly must continue to be allowed and not excluded.
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Jackster
February 25, 2010 9:23 PM
Well look who's holding Harry's Balls!!!
The House leader calling out Senators.
Balls I tell ya Balls!
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SocialJusticeForAll
February 25, 2010 10:10 PM
Madam Speaker: I respectfully disagree with your view of the record. Fix the abortion language and pass HCR. The time for change is now.
http://www.lifenews.com/nat6050.html
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jmnyc
February 25, 2010 11:16 PM
This is why I love Nancy Pelosi. She is tough as nails. So much better than the Dick Gephardt's and Tom Foley's of the world.
Also, it was great when they panned Boehner who clearly knew he'd been busted (not hard considering he is dumb as a box of rocks).
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tpinlb
February 26, 2010 1:10 AM
Pelosi may be the boss, but she is blatantly lying when she says that Medicare cuts (is it $400 or $500 billion, something like that?) in the healthcare bill will not reduce benefits for seniors. That is a complete fabrication. The medicare cuts are all about reducing the amount of healthcare that is delivered to seniors. That is why Obama absolutely insists that HCR must continue to contain the Independent Medicare Advisory Commission (IMAC) to determine how medicare will be cut, and present this as a package to congress for an up or down vote only, no amendments allowed. Cutting medicare is at the core of how Obama says he will "pay for" HCR.
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EastWest
February 26, 2010 6:59 AM in reply to tpinlb
Cutting overpayments to Medicare Advantage only equals cuts to seniors in the Republicans' alternate universe. I'm most definitely NOT a fan of Obama's, for what it's worth, but he's telling the absolute truth on this. Take your talking points over to Drudge's site.
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arias
February 26, 2010 8:31 AM
This is precisely the sort of language that the citizen watching can relate since Pelosi clearly says what they are saying are bald faced lies.
I believe Obama doesn't recognize that when he makes accusations of his opponents "playing politics", that the phrase really doesn't mean anything to most people.
He's got to spell it out like Pelosi did here for the American people to have any sense of what he means by "playing politics". They'll see a lie as a lie. Obama needs to get his ass in gear and recognize that tea baggers have enough problems distinguishing truth from fiction when black and white facts are presented. They don't need you complicating it for them by claiming republicans are "playing politics", while moderates and political layman are deprived of the stark example of the republicans lying straight to their face because it's so poorly illustrated by such words.
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lousgirl84
February 26, 2010 10:03 AM in reply to arias
Obama is the President of the United States and incredibly brilliant I might add, and you don't think he recognizes who the tea partiers are and what their shtick is? That's ridiculous.
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etouffe123
February 26, 2010 9:51 AM
The argument between Democrats and Republicans is just what corporate America wants. It funds both sides and both sides vote as their funders dictate. The real problem is just how to word the legislation so the public has not a clue as to what is really happening. Take one case in point, the funding of AIG and the management using some of the funds to award themselves a bonus. Where is it written that in a republic public funds are to be used to prop up a private enterprise? Where in the Constitution is it shown that business interests supercede private ownership?
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Powkat
February 26, 2010 11:54 AM
Getting personal, I LOVE that she schooled Dave Camp. He is a spoiled little rich boy from my hyper-Republican home town. His family is wealthy because of 1st generation Dow Chemical money; the people who stay in Midland are the ones who love the whole corporate, conservative, ultra-right atmosphere. The rest of us blew town as soon as we could. In Midland, the scolding will probably make him a hero, but I say 'Hooray, Madame Speaker!'
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