Dems lied, transparency died: Senate Finance Committee nixes Obamacare online disclosure
The Senate majority’s contempt for the American people rears its ugly head again. The Senate Finance Committee just voted down a GOP amendment requiring that Obamacare legislation be available online 72 hours before the panel votes. Instead, the Democrats offered to make “conceptual language” available.
Dems lied, transparency died:
Senate Finance Committee Democrats have rejected a GOP amendment that would have required a health overhaul bill to be available online for 72 hours before the committee votes.
Republicans argued that transparency is an Obama administration goal. They also noted that their constituents are demanding that they read bills before voting.
Democrats said it was a delay tactic that could have postponed a vote for weeks.
The Democrats noted that unlike other committees, the Finance Committee works off conceptual language that describes policies — instead of legislative language that ultimately becomes law, and which the GOP amendment would have required.
Democrats accepted an alternate amendment to make conceptual language available online before a vote.
Philip Klein has more:
Currently, the only version of Chairman Max Baucus’s proposal we have is a 223-page draft (PDF) that is written in plain English and explains the bill in conceptual terms. Republicans argued that until the bill is written in legislative language it will be impossible for the CBO to provide an accurate cost estimate.
The Bunning ammendment would have required the committee to have the legislative language of the bill, along with the CBO cost estimate, posted on the internet for 72 hours before a vote.
Democrats argued that waiting for the legislative languange to be written, and for the CBO to evaluate it, would needlessly delay the process by weeks.
“Let’s be honest about it, most people don’t read the legislative language,” Sen. John Kerry said.
The Bunning amendment was defeated by a 12 to 11 vote, with Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln the only Democrat voting in favor.
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Categories: Health care
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Deception and fraud are hallmarks of the Great Left Way. They like to pass laws that the people don’t understand until its too late. Then of course, they lay the blame on the GOP.
Reality! What a concept?!
The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others
Let’s be honest about it, you suck!
“You don’t need that republic. Here, let us take care of that for you. No, really, you wouldn’t know what to do with it anyway.”
Wow. They are not even pretendign to care about campaign promises amymore.
Brilliant idea. Let’s pass vague legislation and then work out the details later.
He must be refering to members of Congress as the town hall meetings proved that the average American knew more about what was in the bill than their representatives.
Translation: Let’s pass this before the CBO can tell the American Taxpayer what this monstrosity will actually cost.
I guess they don’t want to put the bill up so American’s can read it because of all the ‘pork’ in it. Afterall, we ‘children’ can’t read all that legal stuff!
L
Someone (Fox news, are you listening?) needs to confront each and every one of those who voted to obscure the details and make them explain themselves to their constituents. Then they can start packing their offices.
We know they sure don’t. But, they pass it anyway.
Wow, honesty gets thrown under the bus. I would hate to be the guy who has to pick up all of The Zero’s roadkill. It could take months.
Conceptual Language = Ruling Party’s Talking Points
Oh ya, I feel real good about that approach.
/sarc
“conceptual language”….I have some conceptual language for the United States Senate, but being in polite company, I shall refrain.
The elites’ ways are above our ways – their thoughts over ours. Why should the masters bother to provide rationale and details to the slaves? We should just do what they say, and everything will be fine ….THEY WISH!!! They’re going to find out soon enough that the tables will be turned. Pride goes before the fall.
My my, they lied to us. Can we get ManBearPig to scream about it:
HE WHO HAS COME LIED TO US, HE WHO HAS COME PLAYED ON OUR FEARS! Scream ManBearPig, America needs you. Scream laddie, scream.
The Senate majority’s contempt for the American people means this must be Wednesday.
“Let’s be honest about it, I can’t be bothered to do my oath-bound duty to this country, I have a re-election campaign to think about,” Sen. John Kerry said.
If the Repubs haven’t woke up yet that they absolutely must vote NO against anything/everything proposed by this criminal outfit I certainly don’t know what it’ll take. Every other bill they cut and paste together from wish lists 40 years old will be the same. Packed full of constitutional busting laws and programs that will only benefit a few, but require the funding by all.
Repubs – if you want another single vote from your base I’d suggest you let the Dems own every single bill from here on out. If you can’t stand up and defend conservatives, why do we need you? The results would be the same even if you weren’t there. We don’t need/want Dem light.
What’s not to understand in the donks’ reluctance here? After all, it’s pretty hard to cold-cock someone when you have to telegraph your intention three days out.
They don’t write the bills
And they don’t read the bills…
So why are they collecting a paycheck???
Here’s a concept…
No one who has a history of far-left ideology, or who espouses anything other than strict constitutional governance will be allowed to serve in any public office, nor shall be allowed to be appointed to any position by any elected official.
Vote them all out! This air of superiority, and “I know best” attitude by elected public servants , cannot, and must not be permitted to continue. November 2010 is a year away, but it cannot come soon enough for me!
very good point….2010/2012 refresh the entire bunch and do it every single election cycle….and place big signs at all congressional doors:
Rule 1: no lobbyists/no special interest groups beyond this point
Rule 2: refer to Rule 1 failure to comply will result in a life sentence.
What do you expect from Kerry?!
He wouldn’t even ask TeRAYza how she was able to hide that pineapple under her skirt…
CYA wins again! The democratic congressional creed: “We will pass no partisan legislation before we have a chance to sneak what we want into it in the wee hours of the morning and prevent anyone from seeing what we are doing until it is too late to change and we end up getting whatever we want”.
2010 will come too late.
More clear evidence that Democrats want to conceal what they do from American citizen until after it’s too late to object to it. Their claims of the amendment being a delay tactic is utter bull####.
Even if waiting for legislative language AND a CBO cost estimate set a vote back by a few weeks, so friggin’ what? This is a big deal and Americans need to know what the hell these brainless fools are doing and what it’s going to cost. What’s a few more weeks?
Their real motive is to get a vote done before anyone can see what the bill really says or really costs.
Irresponsible, slimy pieces of filth.
The dems can get anything passed that they want, without republican votes. I pray that every single republican will boycott ANY bills in this administration. Let the dems own it ALL. If they force their treason on this country, let them OWN it!!
Who do we think we are? We have no business asking questions or wanting more information on the health care bill. Our leaders know what is best for us.
Let me see if I get this right.
They want to vote on a bill that is not really a bill but an idea. Someone else down the road is going to actually write the law AFTER they vote for it?
Is it just me, or is it almost surreal to see a senior member of Congress openly scoff at the concept of reading legislaton before voting on it.
And we re-elect these clowns 92% of the time.
With all due respect (which isn’t much), this was a promise Obama made during the campaign.
It was a good idea, but even if Obama meant to deliver, it seems his own party wants to keep it from happening.
Do you think we’ll hear from Obama on the matter?
I’m not holding my breath.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Nope. It’s not just you.
And not only do they scoff at the concept of THEIR reading the legislation, they also scoff at the idea of YOUR reading it as well.
I can’t remember the last time I voted for an incumbent legislator. They’re not getting re-elected on MY vote (Andrews, Lautenberg, and Menendez take note).
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Possibly not.
This whole Obamacare thing has opened a can of worms so rank in its flavor that the people may force its repeal in 2011 after forcing these clowns out of office.
Even the “nuclear option” will have its drawbacks for the incumbents.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Are there restrictions preventing any Senator from posting the documents on-line?
Yep, it is a good idea to post such things for public viewing. This type of document is akin to posting the letters of the Founders discussing the Constitution. These documents aren’t the final legislation but are more like source information that reveals notional information. Kind of like the Federal Papers.
Much ado about nothing, unless a Senator voting for this amendment lacks the courage of their convictions and does not post the documents online themselves.
When there are no restrictions there should be no problem doing what you think is right. And, even there were restrictions, and you believe you are doing the right thing, step up to the plate, grow a pair, and suffer the consequences of what you believe in.
Ummm, that is of course, unless you are playing politics.
Bottomline – Put the documents where your votes and mouths are, out in public and online.
If the people do not become generally aware the mainstream media has turned itself into a propaganda whore for the anti-American collectivists, i.e. leftwing Democrats and other globalist scum, then nothing can help us. The people will look up briefly, adjust a bit next election, and then go back to sleep, lulled by the bread and circuses and the soothing sounds of more media lies.
Apparently they DIDN’T hear the 1.8-2million people that were in DC on the 12th. Perhaps it is time to do it again while they are in session and stand on the steps of the House and surround the building and not let them out until they stop this stupidity.
202-224-3121 if you want to get really frustrated. Call Pelosi and tell her we are coming again……
MSM said only 60-70 K, and I know they wouldn’t lie.
Vhat do you mean Dere iss no bill to sign, Comrade? Sign it ANYvay. NOW, Comrade. Da. Much better.
the Fringe Media lies just as much if not more than dear leader and congress…
If the Senate goes with the “nuclear option” all who vote “Yea” will expose themselves to 10,000 RADS of political radioactivity.
There is a part of me that hopes that they do.
I hope this little gem is available on audio and video for the 2010 election campaigns.
The Democrats noted that unlike other committees, the Finance Committee works off conceptual language that describes policies — instead of legislative language that ultimately becomes law, and which the GOP amendment would have required.
Democrats accepted an alternate amendment to make conceptual language available online before a vote.
Get it? The Dems are willing to put out conceptual explanations of the bill’s conceptual language. Can they be more insulting? Duh.
I was chatting with a liberal neighbor of mine (good guy). We were discussing this very thing and I asked him what was so important about passing a final draft of a bill in less than 72 hours after it was presented when the bill would not come into effect until 2013? He agreed that this was fairly close to insane.
See, we can get the decent people (regardless of political stripe) in the country to view good selected arguments and concerns. It is too hard to defeat logic, so select your arguments well.
demcrats gone in 2010 in 3….2…..1…
Because glade air-freshner (AKA obamabreath) will only keep this turd smelling fresh for that long, that’s why cabrerski.
Let’s face it Senator Kerry, you don’t know how to read……
At what point in the history of our country, did the concept of the government serving the people become the people serving the government.
On so many levels, the will of the majority is being ignored, in favor of the agenda of the few.
They prefer to keep it away from the rabble in a deep dark place out of sight of reason and logic.
Probably the same place they have their heads…
My useless Senator, Blanche Lincoln, has apparently been given permission to go into her “one year till election” mode and vote like her constituents want.
Happens every election…and, sadly, works every time.