Pelosi ready to call off House vote on ObamaCare before recess?
posted at 9:25 pm on July 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Rahm’s trying to change her mind, if only to save face after last week’s prediction, but what incentive do House Democrats have to pass a bill now when Reid’s already said the Senate won’t vote before the break? Whatever gets through will be torn to pieces by Republican ads next month. Better to wait for now, keep things in flux, and mouth some talking points about how “all options are on the table” so that the GOP has no concrete target with which to galvanize opposition.
“It doesn’t look like it to me,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said in an interview. “I really hoped that we could have gotten a bill out of here by now,” he said, adding that he has a “heavy political heart.”…
With the Senate already planning to leave for its recess without voting, Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, went to Capitol Hill to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and members of the so-called Blue Dog coalition of Democrats, who object to the cost and structure of the legislation.
The House would only stay in session a few days after the start of the August break if an agreement can be reached to allow the bill to clear the Energy and Commerce Committee, where the Blue Dogs are holding up the legislation, Hoyer said earlier…
The Blue Dogs say they want to wring out hundreds of billions of dollars in additional cost savings from the medical system before agreeing to legislation that would extend coverage to uninsured Americans. They also insist that Congress find a way to pay for the plan without increasing the deficit.
Democratic leaders told Politico earlier today that there would indeed be no floor vote before the recess but now Pelosi’s saying nothing’s been decided yet. What possible benefit would there be to voting now? Is the idea to create some momentum heading into the break, i.e. “we’re halfway there!” That’ll arguably work even better in reverse for the GOP, driving home the urgency of stopping the Senate bill. Maybe it’s all just an ego stroke for The One: “Let me be clear: I said we’d pass something before the break and we did.” I don’t get it.
Blowback
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It makes me ill that such an oblivious, bubble-headed individual is the 3rd most powerful person in the country.
Emily M. on July 28, 2009 at 9:28 PM
C’mon, Rahmbo, are you a pit bull or a chihuahua?
jgapinoy on July 28, 2009 at 9:30 PM
What did he promise her? A year supply of Botox (with corresponding tax rebates) and a Concorde to fly her from SF to DC?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 28, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Why does he even give a flying fu%k………?
……… He hasn’t read a bill in over a century, and they exempt themselves from everything!!!
Our ‘houses of power’ really need a complete flush………
Seven Percent Solution on July 28, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Presidency destroyed…..?
Yet?
JoeinTX on July 28, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Turds. They’re all turds.
flyawaybird on July 28, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Mama Botox is way past due for some judgement from above.
SouthernGent on July 28, 2009 at 9:34 PM
C’mon lap dogs, lift your legs.
califdreamnred on July 28, 2009 at 9:34 PM
When pigs fly.
Put the hooch away AP, it’s clouding your brain.
Knucklehead on July 28, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Does Reid want Obama to fail?
Mr. Bingley on July 28, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Sanity temporarily prevails.
FireBlogger on July 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM
The Dems stink of desperation…they are just flailing now. The poll numbers have them running scared and they are seriously rattled. It’s been a good month. August should be even better.
AUINSC on July 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM
By the time the recess is over, EVERYBODY will know what a crap sandwich this bill is. It will be finished, just as Obama’s legacy will be finished.
Star20 on July 28, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Arggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh
A federal health care system is unconstitutional. Can’t anyone in the GOP make this case?
Yes, I know Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP are also all unconstitutional.
This is just outrageous. If they can pass this they will eventually pass any damn thing they want. The only thing that will stop them is public opinion at the time. But public opinion changes over time and thus eventually, unless the Constitution means something permanent and immutable, the socialists will pass what they want. They never stop, they march forward year after year.
If they pass C&T and health “reform” what’s next? They certainly won’t go home, retire, and leave us with our dwindling liberties.
Will George Miller’s (D-CA) new retirement plan be next? Remember that scare from last year? The socialist never rests.
DerKrieger on July 28, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Not yet.
But this augers well!
JohnGalt23 on July 28, 2009 at 9:38 PM
She’s afraid that the bill, that she and the others have not read, contains a tax on Botox.
Dingbat63 on July 28, 2009 at 9:39 PM
No. But he is a raaaaaaaaaaaacist.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 28, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Just because they can’t get their act together now, doesn’t mean that we are in the clear. When these idiots come back from their “vacation” they will still keep trying to ruin the country. I hope everyone gives their elected federal representatives an earful while they are home. As everyone here knows, if this thing gets through, we will all be suffering for the rest of our lives, not to mention our kids and grand kids.
kam582 on July 28, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I agree. unfortunately, SCOTUS and the US Congress disagree.
JohnGalt23 on July 28, 2009 at 9:40 PM
why is she trying to destroy his presidency?
doesn’t she know that He Won?
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Damned right it’s all about The One’s EGO. That’s why Rahm is up on the Hill right now, turning the air blue. Oh to be a fly on the wall in that meeting with Pelosi, Hoyer, and the Blue Dogs.
RAHM: “You bitch! Obama gave you a #$&#ing BLANK CHECK. And you blew it! What’s your problem? We NEVER had any problems buying anyone in Chicago! We can’t trust you to do anything!”
HOYER: “If I’d been Speaker, this would have been a done deal two weeks ago!”
BLUE DOGS: “Hey Rahm, take a hike!”
RAHM: “Just youse remember, WE NEVER FORGET!”
Bestest, most honest, most open, most ethical Congress, ever! And don’t you forget it, or we’ll bust your face!
GarandFan on July 28, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Go here, figure out how to get an initiative on your state’s 2010 ballot, and get an initiative like this on there.
DerKrieger on July 28, 2009 at 9:41 PM
This is the problem of creating a “crisis” and demanding action before a certain date.
The filthy liar made it clear that healthcare reform would be passed before the August recess. He has gradually backed down from tht promise. It is largely his own fault from staffing out the actual bill to the Congress instead of presenting something that could pass to that body.
My exit question. Other than running up massive debt what has the filthy liar done in his time in office?
highhopes on July 28, 2009 at 9:42 PM
She was for the vote before recess before she was against it…..just saying it’s hard to para sail without some big winded support. Where are all the blow hards?
Dr Evil on July 28, 2009 at 9:42 PM
SCOTUS won’t take up this issue, Congress merely ignores the Constitution. Ever since FDR threatened to pack the court no SC has dared to preemptively declare legislation unconstitutional. Maybe we need to inundate the conservatives on the court with letters requesting they exercise their constitutional prerogative of judicial review.
DerKrieger on July 28, 2009 at 9:43 PM
He got a dog?
Knucklehead on July 28, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Agreed, but these people are intensely poll driven and they are now scared. Lesson: Keep up the pressure and we can avoid this disaster.
AUINSC on July 28, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I think its hilarious when Hoyer said it was all her fault it hasn’t passed. Then she says it the insurance companies fault.
Let me field this one ya’ll………
The people say its all ya’lls fault for trying to ram a dumba$$ bill down our throat..
Now go back home and get a$$ whipping you rightly deserve.
Turds.
Offshore_Drilling on July 28, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I doubt they will hold a vote, but I will only be contenet till they go home and get yelled at, by the way here are the days they have scheduled:
House Schedule
August 3 – September 4 Summer District Work Period
September 7 Labor Day
September 18 Rosh Hashanah Begins
September 27 Yom Kippur Begins
October 12 Columbus Day
October 30 Target Adjournment
rob verdi on July 28, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Yeah, I forgot Bo. So apparently has the first family. Constant images of them flitting around the world on the taxpayers’ dime. Who’s taking care of the dog?
highhopes on July 28, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Please oh please let in be the Concorde…heh heh heh
clnurnberg on July 28, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Yeah, you got it. It’s about Ogabe pride.
And about Pelosi loosing her grip.
guntotinglibertarian on July 28, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Unfortunately that’s just another promise he won’t keep. But that doesn’t mean we should keep trying to hold him to it!
Caiwyn on July 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
the court can’t review until the case is put before them. other than that, der krieger, you are exactly right. if congress passes obamacare, & i mean any part of 95% of it, then we are hosed, finished.
we will never tire, we will never rest. we will never give up.
call their satellite offices. ha ha. those people are more in touch anyway.
kelley in virginia on July 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
claire mccaskill (D-MO) or a stand in got hammered at a townhall event today.
hammered….
by a citizen and a soldier.
go get you some. find the date when your rep is in town.
pay a visit.
don’t forget hammer.
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Brutal schedule. Brutal.
Here’s my ideal schedule for Congress:
January 10: Session begins
January 11: Congress adjourns
January 12-January 9 of following year: Congressmen relax on the beach with Uighers.
Repeat.
guntotinglibertarian on July 28, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Why would they have to wait for someone to challenge the law? If Congress passed a law imposing Catholicism on the entire country would we all be required to become Catholics until someone challenged the law? Would the SCOTUS just sit on its hands until someone brought the case to them? That’s absurd.
DerKrieger on July 28, 2009 at 9:53 PM
good plan GTL, you can be my S3
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Link?
conservative pilgrim on July 28, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Outside of living large, nothing. He and his cronies were banking on the mystified followers not paying attention. His biggest mistake is he forgot about the rest of us watching his every move.
sherry on July 28, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Mr. Bingley on July 28, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Does Reid want Obama to fail?
Reid wants to be re-elected. ( :
yoda on July 28, 2009 at 9:56 PM
derkrieger: that’s the way it is. you don’t want judges running around looking for stuff to decide, do you? that would be judicial activism in its worst form.
if congress passed a bad law (imagine such a thing), someone has to challenge it before a court can act.
kelley in virginia on July 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Rangel’s heavy political heart probably isn’t half as heavy has his political freezer.
Limerick on July 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM
mccaskill link..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn71-wNccsw&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emoonbattery%2Ecom%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2Fmccaskill%5Ftown%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded
katy on July 28, 2009 at 9:58 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y98HxYbsdBM
here ya go pilgrim.
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 9:59 PM
More mccaskil, soldier speaks out!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y98HxYbsdBM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emoonbattery%2Ecom%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2Fmccaskill%5Ftown%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded
katy on July 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
We are witnessing the continuance of a government secured Ponzi scheme that is determined to protect the wealth of elites and their entourage for as long as possible. It continues because no politician has the stones to tell the truth about big government. Thank God for SP. She doesn’t need them, and yet has them.
exdeadhead on July 28, 2009 at 10:02 PM
If it would stop the madness of the Leftists, yes.
DerKrieger on July 28, 2009 at 10:02 PM
There’s a new party in town, it’s not an (R), a (D)—- it’s a (T)
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
prediction: Mccaskill unemployed 2010
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Come on Madame Nancy, blame the CIA.
mobydutch on July 28, 2009 at 10:05 PM
AP: would you link up a mccaskill thread. She ticked off a bunch of protestors last week w/ some staffer giving the finger to folks at her office.
ted c on July 28, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hey, Pelosi, you gotta problem with the botox tax?
BottomLine5 on July 28, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Gee, I was looking forward to a bill that bypassed committee and got roundly rejected on the floor before the break.
Resolute on July 28, 2009 at 10:10 PM
They just do not know what to do. Good.
I wish there was someway to really stop them.
Terrye on July 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM
God, let’s hope this is the beginning of the end for this nation-destroying, POS legislation.
Dave R. on July 28, 2009 at 10:13 PM
yeah, i wanted to stop the bill before the break. but at this point, i’ll hold my breath until friday.
then we really get the word out. call their local offices.
some congressional staffer will spill the beans about what those idjits are really up to.
kelley in virginia on July 28, 2009 at 10:14 PM
God forbid!
KSgop on July 28, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Let’s see…mess up the entire health care system in the U.S. so Rahm can save face! I pray they fail!
Christian Conservative on July 28, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I really don’t like Rahm – I didn’t like him during the clinton years and i like him even less now, if that is possible. He is a punk.
ncsully on July 28, 2009 at 10:22 PM
All of these people need to slow down, read, and think.
tartan on July 28, 2009 at 10:22 PM
This petition looks like one way to make your voice heard. This got endorsed by a local conservative talk radio host. Petition submissions are to be delivered to House leadership by tomorrow (Wednesday), and there are reportedly about 290K signatures on it so far.
Has anyone here signed onto a Grassfire petition before, or does anyone have any comments about its effectiveness? (If you submit this, remember to UNcheck the last 2 boxes if you don’t want to receive any follow-up e-mails).
OneVision on July 28, 2009 at 10:25 PM
and katy
thanks for the link! watching now.
conservative pilgrim on July 28, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Don’t worry, the taxpayers are paying for Bo too.
4shoes on July 28, 2009 at 10:27 PM
The Repubs can’t let the debate be only about money. The money issue can always be lied away on phony book keeping gymnastics.
What this debate has to be mainly about are the actual provisions, the line by dissection of the entire bill. The absolutely overbearing rules and regs that have little to do with health care but more so as an organizing principle in society. Bank records, electronic transfers, doctor choices and pay, forced migrations to government programs, the list is very long.
patrick neid on July 28, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Who’s the lady speaking? Did McCaskill ever come out and address the crowd?
Wow, that soldier spoke quite articulately in a high pressure situation. That is one fired up crowd.
Wonder if Nancy is having second thoughts about August? haha.
conservative pilgrim on July 28, 2009 at 10:32 PM
may be a head fake, please call !!!
ginaswo on July 28, 2009 at 10:32 PM
drat linkys didnt go
trying manually
house energy and commerce cmte pdf here
Blue Dog Democrats pdf here
Senate Finance Cmte pdf here
please try to call and fax
ginaswo on July 28, 2009 at 10:34 PM
*Installed a rogue’s gallery of liars, crooks, and thieves as policy “Czars” in a large (and unconstitutional) expansion of Executive power.
*Went on a worldwide apology tour and gave notice to all of America’s enemies that her government is now lead by a weak-kneed appeaser.
*Humiliated himself and his office by bowing and scraping like a serf before the Saudi king (then blatantly lied about it afterwards).
*Wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on an extravagant photo opp/”date night” in NYC while lecturing Americans about the need to sacrifice during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
*Undermined democracy in Honduras.
*Exacerbated racial tensions nationwide by making foolish, racist, and factually incorrect statements about a local police matter in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
*Spent 10 weekends in a row (and counting) playing golf.
Not an exhaustive list. Just off the top of my head. Can’t say he hasn’t done anything . . . .
AZCoyote on July 28, 2009 at 10:39 PM
A MESSAGE FOR CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT, OH AND ALL HIS CRONIES
“BEWARE OF AN ANGRY AMERICA”
rone5847 on July 28, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Why is no one hammering the fact that illegal aliens are going to be covered under this bill? Some of the latino lobbying groups are working with Nancy on this to make sure it stays in the bill. I guess there’s so much crap in it it’s hard to focus on only one thing, but you would think this issue alone, if enough people knew, would kill it.
silvernana on July 28, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I heard she was not there. Sent her staffers.
katy on July 28, 2009 at 10:46 PM
The Democrats won’t talk about it because they know it would piss off voters and kill the bill, and Republicans won’t talk about it because they’re afraid of being called anti-hispanic or racist (by racist organizations like LaRaza, “The Race”).
AZCoyote on July 28, 2009 at 10:47 PM
What?!?!!
conservative pilgrim on July 28, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Rangel, that’s your wallet that’s heavy. Not your heart.
shick on July 28, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Amen!!! Dick Morris made that exact point on Hannity’s radio show this afternoon. He emphasized that the debate should include the rationing issue, i.e., how can you possibly maintain the same accessibility and quality of health care when you increase the number of patients without any increase in the number of doctors?
OneVision on July 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I sent emails to Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh, and I haven’t heard them pound on this issue either. I don’t listen to Beck or Hannity every day, so I could be wrong on them. I listen to Rush most every day, and if he has mentioned it, it was only briefly. This is a big issue to me, and am surprised at the inattention to it.
silvernana on July 28, 2009 at 11:12 PM
At any townhalls – bring up Health Care & Cap & Tax for a double barrel effect.
http://www.redstate.com/izoneguy/2009/07/28/at-a-health-care-town-hall-angry-voters-confront-congressman-on-the-climate-bill/
izoneguy on July 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM
If I were a GOP strategist, I would keep that one in my back pocket and use it only if the bill could pass and I need to sway a few votes to the no side; otherwise, there is enough items in the bill already to hit the Dems with to risk the unfair racial charge.
WashJeff on July 28, 2009 at 11:20 PM
And bring up the facts that Health Insurance costs vary from state to state.
Wyoming & Iowa have decent rates. New York, Maine and New Jersey don’t.
New Jersey has some of the highest insurance rates due to government meddeling. Open up the insurance business so companies can compete in every state without government dictitating what needs to be in the plans.
izoneguy on July 28, 2009 at 11:21 PM
While I would like to see that, I do no know of anything in the constitution that allows the feds to dictate state regulations.
I still would like to know what prohibits states from selling insurance across state borders. Does evey state have a law to prohibit this commerce? Is it a federal law? Either way, it’s stupid.
WashJeff on July 28, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Obama was asked by a t.v. interviewer (Katie Couric, IIRC) if the healthcare bill would cover illegal aliens, and he flat out lied. He said no, it would only cover their children. Nobody challenged him or pointed out that he was not telling the truth.
AZCoyote on July 28, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Better get a sick bag…
1. Barack Obama
2. Joe Biden
3. Nancy Pelosi
4. Grand Kleagle Robert Byrd
5. Hillary
6. Tim Geitner
American Elephant on July 29, 2009 at 4:07 AM
Fixed that for ya.
Jed1899 on July 29, 2009 at 4:52 AM
I had this real problem how the republicans/blue dogs/media were all trumpeting the costs of the
rapeoverhaul of our hc system. I know most conservatives were talking philosophy and what was actually IN the proposal, but, much more were focusing on cost as the real demon. This should be secondary to us, although it’s a heinous price tag. We should fight ANY bipartisan effort. We should reject ANY proverbial foot in the door and we should renounce any language that only speaks of cost and denies the life killing (the full range of it) within the pages of this monstrosity. If they cannot chop up their CURRENT entitlement programs, they deserve no credit speaking to this…”I WON” or not.Mommypundit on July 29, 2009 at 6:39 AM
I’ll take a stab at that. Each state makes it’s own insurance laws (what’s required to be covered, for ex)and ins. co’s decide if they’re going to operate in a particular state if they think they can make a profit. It’s like each state makes it’s own licensing rqmt’s for many fields, medicine, law, teachers, etc. So states “license” ins. co’s to operate in their state, and the ins. co’s make state specific plans.
One particular ins. co may operate in many states, and I’m sure they do. And in fact, many states may have similar types of health ins. plans avail, at similar rates. The big problem, imo, is when some states (like mine, NY for ex) requires only cadillac policies be issued(they must cover nearly EVERYTHING- even preg. benefits for an 80 year old male, or are restricted by size of deductible, etc.). That makes the cost of policies very expensive, (not to mention these policies must cover the cost of medicare and the uninsured.) So a more limited plan which is cheaper, and avail lets say in CT is unavailable in NY. To be able to buy plans “across state lines” the states would have to make their ins. rqmts uniform. I think it’s a states’ rights issue, and I’m in favor of that generally speaking, because I thinkk that states that are STUPID ought to pay the price and lose people and businesses. I’m leaving NY as soon as I can for greener pastures.
JiangxiDad on July 29, 2009 at 7:16 AM
Go ahead Pelosi, vote, then we will know precisely who the enemy is and who sanctions this socialist healthcare manifesto . . . name by name.
rplat on July 29, 2009 at 7:53 AM
From an insulated district of far left freaks. This situation is and Pelosi is the best argument for term limits. There’s no way Pelosi’s lunatic fringe ideas should have such power to change the lives of the 90% who disagree with her radical “green” socialist agenda.
marklmail on July 29, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Rahm was told to take Pelosi’s tonsils??
seven on July 29, 2009 at 8:15 AM
I am sure Rahm will pierowet to the Senate in his finest tutu and demand action.
I cannot wait to read Michelle Malkin’s new book
SmallGovtGuy on July 29, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Bestest, most honest, most open, most ethical Congress, ever! And don’t you forget it, or we’ll bust your face!
GarandFan on July 28, 2009
What price for a Blue Dog with a digital recorder and a sense of patriotic anger at the machinations of duh Won.
Wouldn’t that be sweet?
SKYFOX on July 29, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Keep up the pressure and the rest of the Demoncratic policies will fail.
MSGTAS on July 29, 2009 at 10:31 AM
But she promised.
Harpoon on July 29, 2009 at 10:42 AM