TPMDC
Orrin Hatch

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 23, 2009, 5:34PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Dr. , Afghan presidential candidate; Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA).

• Fox News Sunday: Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan presidential candidate; Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

• NBC, Meet The Press: SEn. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY.

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Topics: Abdullah Abdullah, Ben Nelson, Chuck Schumer, Claire McCaskill, Jim Webb, John Cornyn, John McCain, Jon Kyl, Mitch McConnell, Orrin Hatch, Russ Feingold, Sunday Shows

CBO Predicts Modest Savings From Medical Malpractice Reform

Brian Beutler | October 9, 2009, 11:57AM

Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

In response to an inquiry by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Congressional Budget Office chief Doug Elmendorf finds that medical malpractice reform would reduce the deficit by about $54 billion over 10 years.

"Combining the effects on both mandatory spending and revenues, a tort reform package of the sort described earlier in this letter would reduce federal budget deficits by roughly $54 billion over 10 years," Elmendorf writes. That $54 billion is comprised of an expected $41 billion reduction in mandatory spending, and about $13 billion in new revenues.

And just what sort of statutory changes would be needed to generate the reduction?

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Topics: Barack Obama, CBO, Doug Elmendorf, Health Care, Orrin Hatch

Health Care

Hatch: I Sincerely Doubt Snowe or Collins Will Support Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | September 10, 2009, 2:12PM

Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

What did conservative Republicans think of President Obama's health care speech last night? Not very much, apparently. Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT)--who, you'll recall was a part of the "gang of six" back when it was the "gang of seven"--even went so far as to predict that the proposal Obama outlined would get zero Republican votes. No Collins. No Snowe.

"I really sincerely doubt if Olympia or Susan will go with them. I really sincerely doubt that Chuck Grassley and Senator Enzi will go with them," Hatch said.

The one thing the President said where people can get insurance across state lines, anywhere in the country, lowest possible prices they can, that's a good idea but that's an idea that Republicans came up with long ago. That takes some conservative Democrats came up with that as well. When he talked about medical liability reform, he is talking about, you know, small projects. We don't need small projects.

We'll have video for you shortly. And, we'll try to get an answer from Sens. Snowe and Collins on what they think of Hatch's powers of prognostication.

Late update: Video Below.

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Topics: Health Care, Olympia Snowe, Orrin Hatch, Senate, Senate Finance Committee, Susan Collins

Dick Cheney

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 30, 2009, 1:01PM

Cheney: CIA Investigation "Offends The Hell Out Of Me," Obama Administration Should Be Asking Us For Advice
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, former Vice President Dick Cheney lambasted the Obama administration for investigation CIA interrogation methods, calling it an "outrageous political act." "I guess the other thing that offends the hell out of me, frankly, Chris [Wallace], is we had a track record now of eight years of defending the nation against any further mass casualty attacks from Al Qaeda," said Cheney. "The approach of the Obama administration should be to come to those people who were involved in that policy and say, how did you do it? What were the keys to keeping this country safe over that period of time?"

Kerry: Kennedy Would Fight For Public Option -- But Would Accept A Bill Without It
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that Ted Kennedy would not have rejected a health care bill that lacked a public option: "He would fight for it, and he would do everything in his power to get it, just like he did for the minimum wage or like he did for children's health care, et cetera. But if he didn't see the ability to be able to get it done, he would not throw the baby out with the bathwater. He would not say no to anything because we have to reduce the cost. We have to make these changes. And he would find the best way forward."

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Topics: Chris Dodd, Dianne Feinstein, Dick Cheney, Health Care, John Kerry, Maria_Cantwell, Orrin Hatch, Public Option, Ted Kennedy

Ted Kennedy

Like it or not, Kennedy's Death Will Impact the Health Care Debate--But How?

Brian Beutler | August 26, 2009, 2:32PM

As Josh suggested on the home page earlier today it's futile to completely sequester the historical moment of Ted Kennedy's death from the political moment of the day. Kennedy passed away in the middle of a health care debate he couldn't really shape, but that, more than almost any living politician, he'd helped to engender.

For both personal and political reasons, a great number of Democrats find the notion that health care reform might fail in the wake of Kennedy's death unacceptable. Undoubtedly, just as many Republicans will declare that using Kennedy's memory in the service of passing legislation is inappropriate.

But while these two opposing stances will dominate the headlines, and media figures will breathlessly ask if Democrats or Republicans are politicizing Kennedy's death, the more interesting question will be, How much influence will these two factions have on those who sit on the fence?

Already we're seeing the first signs that Democrats hope Kennedy's death will galvanize the majority, end the squabbling over minutae, and pass legislation that would have made him proud.

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Topics: Chris Dodd, Health Care, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, Orrin Hatch, Robert Byrd, Ted Kennedy

John McCain

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 23, 2009, 1:00PM

McCain Defends Palin, Also Says: "I Don't Think They Were, Quote, 'Death Panels'"
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) defended his former running mate Sarah Palin on her claim that President Obama's health care plan would create "death panels," though he did admit her wording was off. "Look, I don't think they were, quote, 'death panels,' don't get me wrong," said McCain. "I don't think - but on the best treatment procedures part of the bill, it does open it up to decisions being made as far - that should be left - those choices left to the patient and the individual."

Grassley: End-of-Life Provision "Just Scares The Devil Out of People"
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) explained that he used the phrase "pull the plug on grandma" while trying to assuage fears that people have about the health care bill: "It won't do that, but I wanted to explain why my constituents are concerned about it, and I also want to say that there is an $8 billion cost with that issue, and if you're trying to save money and you put an $8 billion of doctors giving you some advice at the end of life, doctors are going to take advantage of earning that $8 billion and constituents see that as an opportunity to save some money. It just scares the devil out of people."

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Topics: Afghanistan, Chuck Grassley, Chuck Schumer, Death Panels, Dick Lugar, Health Care, Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Orrin Hatch, Public Option, Ted Kennedy

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 15, 2009, 1:06PM

Obama: We Have Rationed Care And Bureaucracy Right Now
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama set out to debunk the attacks against his health care proposals -- and put the blame squarely on insurance companies with a vested interest in the status quo, who commit the same abuses that opponents of reform are warning against:

"If you're worried about rationed care, higher costs, denied coverage, or bureaucrats getting between you and your doctor, then you should know that's what's happening right now," said Obama. "In the past three years, over 12 million Americans were discriminated against by insurance companies due to a preexisting condition, or saw their coverage denied or dropped just when they got sick and needed it most."

Hatch: Town Hall Protestors Are Not "Un-American"
In this weekend's Republican address, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said that Republican do support meaningful reforms in health insurance -- and attacked Democrats over their health care plans and for belittling protestors at town halls:

"I am disappointed about the attempts to characterize the behavior of Americans expressing their concerns as 'un-American,'" said Hatch. "Although I strongly encourage the use of respectful debate in these town halls, we should not be stifling these discussions. There is nothing 'un-American' about disagreements. In fact, our great nation was founded on speaking our minds."

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Topics: Barack Obama, Death Panels, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Kent Conrad, Orrin Hatch, Sarah Palin, Ted Kennedy

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2009, 9:01AM

Two Sides Taking Health Care Debate Outside Washington
The Obama Administration and its opponents will be spending the August recess heavily promoting their sides of the health care debate. "Our job is to help folks understand how this will help them," said David Axelrod. On the other end of the spectrum, Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John Barrasso (R-WY) will be going on the road with their "Senate Doctors Show," warning against the Democratic plan.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 11:05 a.m. ET, on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. At 12:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Shaykh Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, and the two of them will be joined by Vice President Biden for lunch at 12:45 p.m. Et. Obama will meet with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Topics: Barack Obama, Chuck Grassley, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Iran, Joe Biden, Mike Enzi, Orrin Hatch, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court

Health Care

Hatch Walks Out Of Bipartisan Health Care Talks

Brian Beutler | July 22, 2009, 2:16PM

In a move that might actually please reformers, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has dropped out of bipartisan health care negotiations in the Senate Finance Committee. Hatch was one of seven members who called themselves the "coalition of the willing," but apparently, he is no longer willing.

"Some of the things they're talking about, I just cannot support. So I don't want to mislead anybody," Hatch said.

The remaining Republicans in the group are Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Charles Grassley (R-IA)--though frankly health care overhaul supporters have long doubted that any compromise that might have won the support of Hatch and Enzi would have constituted an adequate reform bill.

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Topics: Health Care, Orrin Hatch, Senate, Senate Finance Committee

Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor Explains The Many Dangers Of Ninja Nunchucks

Brian Beutler | July 14, 2009, 12:43PM

You wouldn't think this would take a lot of explaining, but apparently if you're Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), it does.

I suppose Republicans worry that there's a slippery slope between "they're taking our nunchucks!" and "they're taking our guns!" Or something.

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Topics: Orrin Hatch, Senate Judiciary Committee, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court

Sonia Sotomayor

Disgraced Miranda Repeatedly Calls Republicans 'Limp Wristed' For Not Breaching Ethics In Judicial Matters

Brian Beutler | June 2, 2009, 3:17PM

Manuel Miranda is, perhaps, the most vocal conservative calling on the GOP to filibuster Sonia Sotomayor--an ironic fact given Miranda's long history of opposing judicial filibusters. But he's also been the subject of a thorough investigation by former Senate Sergeant at Arms William Pickle.

Miranda became mired in controversy several years ago, after he and a fellow Senate Judiciary Committee aide distributed thousands of pages of Democratic memos--supposedly documenting the minority members' ties to liberal interest groups--to friendly reporters and conservative activists from late 2001 until early 2003.

The two aides--Miranda and Jason Lundell--worked in concert. Lundell had learned how to access private Democratic documents by observing the keystrokes of a young system administrator, who didn't realize that many files on the committee server were unprotected. Armed with an ill-begotten password, Lundell accessed reams of forbidden memos, which he brought to his superiors who initially scolded him and advised him to burn the evidence.

Enter Manny Miranda.

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Topics: Orrin Hatch, Republicans, Senate Judiciary Committee, Sonia Sotomayor

Orrin Hatch

Hatch: I'm Now Concerned About Things Sotomayor Wrote Before I Supported Her Last Time

Brian Beutler | May 26, 2009, 4:06PM

Earlier today, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) called in to MSNBC to raise concerns about a judge whom he's supported twice.

Hatch cites, among other things, an article Sotomayor wrote in 1996--two years before he supported her confirmation to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. But, he says, the Supreme Court is a different thing altogether.

As a senior, and influential, member of the Judiciary Committee, Hatch will have significant sway over how quickly and smoothly the coming confirmation process moves forward.

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Topics: Orrin Hatch, Senate, Senate Judiciary Committee, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court

Arlen Specter

Far Right Sen. Sessions To Take Over For Specter On Judiciary Committee...For Now

Brian Beutler | May 4, 2009, 11:25AM

In a grand bargain of sorts for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) will take over as ranking member on the Judiciary Committee for the remainder of this Congress, and give way in 2011 to the Iowa Republican. According to The Hill, Sessions "will take over the ranking member position on the Senate Judiciary Committee after striking a deal with his more senior colleagues over the weekend."

Under terms of the deal, Sessions will serve as ranking member until the 112th Congress, when he will take over the ranking member post on the Senate Budget Committee. Current Budget Committee ranking member Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) is retiring at the end of the 111th Congress.

Grassley--who's senior to Sessions--will be forced to abdicate his seat as ranking member of the Finance Committee when he comes up against term limits in the 111th Congress. He's stated in the past that he'd prefer to become the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee than on the Budget Committee, but before today's deal, it looked like he'd have to choose between taking over for Specter on Judiciary Committee now, or taking over for Gregg on the Budget Committee next Congress.

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Topics: Arlen Specter, Chuck Grassley, Jeff Sessions, Orrin Hatch, Republicans, Senate, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court

Arlen Specter

Will Grassley Step Down From Senior Finance Position?

Brian Beutler | April 30, 2009, 5:56PM

Will Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will step down from his position as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and become the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee? A lot of signs point to yes, and that has reformers on the Hill and elsewhere--who prefer Grassley's record to that of his potential replacement--pretty worried.

If it happens, it will be thanks, indirectly, to Sen. Arlen Specter's defection into the Democratic party. Specter was the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee and his big move on Tuesday created an opening that has yet to be filled. As I reported earlier this week, though, the committee's senior Republican--Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)--is prohibited by Senate Republican Conference rules from taking over the committee. And only two of the three eligible senators--Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA)--make much sense.

Of those two, Grassley has some advantages: He's a more senior on the committee, for instance, and he isn't as controversial or conservative a senator as Sessions is. But he is ranking member of the Finance Committee--a committee with tremendous power, particularly with health reform on the horizon--and he'd have to leave that post if he were to take over for Specter.

So why would he do it?