Hoyer explains timing of health care debate....sort of
Wondering when the House of Representatives may take up health care? Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., tried to make it perfectly clear, as he explained Tuesday at a press conference how he may/should/must abide by the rule that legislation be made available to the public 72 hours in advance. Here's the exchange with reporters:
Question (from a reporter): I am a little unclear on the timing of health care that at least you are looking at this week. Mr. Hoyer. You and I are in the same boat. Q You are probably a little clearer than I am. On the floor, your plan is potentially Friday or Saturday, but then maybe final passage not until next week? You would hold this out there for several days? Mr. Hoyer. No. I have no plan to hold this out for several days. It has been now 6, 7 months we have been considering this, and 2 years we have had hearings on it. It is essentially a century from Theodore Roosevelt first saying we ought to do this. So I am not going to hold it out for a few more days. However, I have said we are going to give 72 hours' notice for the bill, which has already been done, and the manager's amendment, which has yet to be done. That is the only constraint. Q So the limiting factor is when you get the manager's amendment? Mr. Hoyer. Yes. Q Actually just on the 72
hour thing, first of all, A, is that from when the manager's amendment is brought to final vote and beginning debate? And also, how do you feel about the House taking up UI this week given what the Senate has added to it?
Mr. Hoyer. Let me answer the first question. What are the specifics of the first question? 13
Q Is the 72 hours meaning you start debate, and then there will be a vote after 72 hours; or are you saying you won't start debate until the 72 hours?
Mr. Hoyer. We are certainly not going to have a vote for 72 hours, But it is my intent to give 72 hours before the bill comes to the floor.
Q Before floor action begins?
Mr. Hoyer. Yes. That is my intent. Now, if we miss that by 3 or 4 hours in terms of bringing it to the floor, but we don't have a vote until substantially later, I am not going to consider that an egregious violation of my own rule.
Democrats must lead by leading and accomplishing reform -- like health care which is tied to the deficit. Those timid Dems who refuse to take issue with the insurance companies will lose their seats in the coming elections. Those who stand firm for the people will be re-elected to fight on!
The wins of GOP governors will be unfortunate for the people of Virginia and New Jersey. If the people of these states thought they had it bad under Democratic governors, they have seen nothing yet. How long will some people continue to be Fooled by these Wizards of Oz? How long will they continue to circle the Yellow Brick Road? Republican politicians will not deliver the change these people seek but instead will impede it delivering more good and services to big corporations and insurance companies which will only continue the decay of these states. This is very unfortunate indeed because the GOP primary objective is to say no the people and to spead fear -- The Party of No and Fear -- deceptive Wizards of Oz!
Posted by: Angellight | November 04, 2009 at 12:11 PM