Dems set to break promise to post final O-Care bill online 72 hours before vote
posted at 8:10 pm on March 12, 2010 by Allahpundit
Might as well. They’re about to overhaul American health care with a bill passed in the House by implication. To honor the 72-hour pledge in that context would only compound the insult to the public’s intelligence. If you’re going to show contempt for proper procedure, really show it. There’s an element of honesty in that, at least, that almost redeems the lousiness of it all.
Almost.
House Democrats appear to be softening their pledge to allow the public 72 hours to review the health care reform package online before a House vote. “We will certainly give as much notice as possible, but I’m not going to say that 72 hours is going to be the litmus test,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Friday.
“The House bill or Senate bill, as proposed, has been online for some two-and-a-half months, otherwise known about 75 days,” Hoyer added, referring to the November and December dates each chamber passed its version of health care legislation…
“The House Democratic Leadership is committed to having the final health insurance reform legislation online for 72 hours before the House votes, for all Members and the American people to review. We will continue the transparent process this landmark legislation has had for months,” Pelosi wrote in a January press release.
The punchline? Precisely because of the Slaughter strategy, it’s not the Senate bill that the House will be voting on. They’ll be voting on the reconciliation “fix,” which will be deemed to include the Senate bill but which hasn’t even been written yet. Will that be ready 72 or 48 or 24 hours before the vote on? No one knows. Although honestly, at this point, I hope it isn’t. I’d prefer to see them finish the bill an hour before the vote, or else to pass a completely blank reconciliation bill and then fill in whatever provisions they like at a meeting with Obama afterwards. That’s the only truly fitting way to end this fiasco — that, or having the bill fail narrowly during the House vote, at which point Pelosi would rise and somehow simply “deem” it as having passed. The more illegitimate this thing is, the greater the (admittedly small) chance that the GOP can roll back parts of it later. So here’s to Democrats getting really, really crazy with the cheese whiz.
Blowback
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Softening?
Seriously, CNN?
Slublog on March 12, 2010 at 8:13 PM
No? Really?
…..in other news, birds can fly!
HornetSting on March 12, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Reneging, perhaps, CNN?
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Are we almost to the point where the majority understand the US has suffered a coup?
And if so, when will the resistance begin?
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:15 PM
How can they both have had enough time and need to pass it to find out what is in it? I am so confused.
Cindy Munford on March 12, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Why not just throw in a bill to abolish the constitution while they’re at it?
Rovin on March 12, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Itchee Dryback on March 12, 2010 at 8:16 PM
I HATE what they are doing to us. It is Lent and I am very upset that I am so angry right now.
margretto on March 12, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Do you really trust these morons to actually post the real thing?
Knucklehead on March 12, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Well, either that or she gets so pissed her face melts off.
Emily M. on March 12, 2010 at 8:17 PM
November is going to be a bloodbath.
Then we can repeal this monstrosity.
nyx on March 12, 2010 at 8:18 PM
They rarely read bills anyway before voting. They’ll be given a summary and told to trust the Dem House leadership that it accurately summarizes the bill.
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 8:18 PM
unreal
angryed on March 12, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Oh my goodness gracious. I’m so surprised.
katy the mean old lady on March 12, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Right.
Only an utter fool would take an oathbreaker at their word.
When they said, ‘we’re making history here’.
I don’t they understand how that chapter is going to finally portrayed.
CPT. Charles on March 12, 2010 at 8:19 PM
I wish it were that easy.
Scrappy on March 12, 2010 at 8:19 PM
you are not alone.
I will not rest till the Fool resigns.
nyx on March 12, 2010 at 8:19 PM
I believe that even the House allows any member to ask that a bill be read out loud. I think GOP House member did this with Crap & Trade in committee, and Waxman hired a speed reader.
Cute, but it is one way the GOP could at least get the whole text on the record. And delay the proceedings.
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 8:20 PM
In a convoluted way, I hope they do pass this debacle in the dark of night in the most unconstitutional manner possible so that when the time comes for payback we deliver in spades.
fourdeucer on March 12, 2010 at 8:20 PM
Is it possible for Obama to declare that Republican ‘No” votes really mean “Yes” votes? Like, right after the tally is taken?
BKeyser on March 12, 2010 at 8:21 PM
They don’t care what is in the bill. They just have to pass SOMETHING. This is going to bite them in the a$$.
TXMomof3 on March 12, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Better fight the bastards now than after November.
My prediction, if the Dems push this through healthcare seizure by these odd parliamentary measures they will secure their own death as a party. Americans have a sense of fairness and that doesn’t include “deeming” bills into law.
highhopes on March 12, 2010 at 8:23 PM
“Obama, here’s a blank piece of paper. Put your John Hancock on it and we will fill it up with goodies. Thank you for your support”
Electrongod on March 12, 2010 at 8:23 PM
We have to take our chances. That is the only way we can save the country.
Besides, it could face legal challenges if it passes. Know Hope.
nyx on March 12, 2010 at 8:23 PM
What are the odds this bill ends up in front of the Supreme Court for procedural shenanigans?
JavelinaBomb on March 12, 2010 at 8:23 PM
How can the democrats come out of a 2 day closed door negotiating session, claim it is all transparent, and NOT get a question from the reporter regarding the transparency claim?
Freddy on March 12, 2010 at 8:24 PM
That would ruin Barry’s vacation plans, wouldn’t it?
Knucklehead on March 12, 2010 at 8:24 PM
Pelosi has nothing.
This is the Chicago Olympics and Copenhagen rolled into one. A lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. There is no way Pelosi has the Yes votes, so Pelosi is creating the illusion that something can still be done. She’s hoping to scare up some more Yes votes by lying.
Emperor Norton on March 12, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Why pretend any longer…
Obowma should just come out in his new uniform, leather boots and all, with his possie behind him, and declare ‘Martial Law’.
Why wait?
Seven Percent Solution on March 12, 2010 at 8:25 PM
If/when this passes, find every company that donates money to EVERY DEMOCRAT for this November’s campaign, and let them know EVERY AMERICAN will be boycotting their businesses. Money is at the root of all this, and when the cash runs out, so does this moronic ideology of government control.
Rovin on March 12, 2010 at 8:26 PM
We’ve come a long way when lying and cheating to pass a law that outright screws the American people and facilitates a socialist takeover constitutes a victory.
n0doz on March 12, 2010 at 8:27 PM
I just hold hope that someone who knows where the bodies are buried will gain a conscience with that time comes. I also can’t wait for the release of Presidential phone call tapes they have to record and all the other records that one day will show what really happened to this nation.
truetexan on March 12, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Same stuff, different day.
Philly on March 12, 2010 at 8:28 PM
I am fighting them now! My representatives are not listening. That is why I have to wait for November. All my letters to my senators were in vain. With new leadership in November, this might change.
No doubt, the Dems are DEAD DEAD DEAD as a party after November. They are going to go the way of the Federalist Party after the election of Jefferson. But till then, they remain dangerous.
nyx on March 12, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Nancy, the gnat-brain, said they have to pass it first, so we can read it.
The woman knows what she’s saying.
Schadenfreude on March 12, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Yep and the SCOTUS isn’t exactly loving Obama right now in case this happens to come in front of them on a Constitutional challenge.
I’m just glad this is coming to a boil – let’s end it.
gophergirl on March 12, 2010 at 8:29 PM
T’will be interesting to see if Harry’s “no repeal” verbiage is still in this turkey when it lands. I’m guessing it will be.
Of course O’Bummer would Veto any repeal legislation and – barring a major miracle in November – the Republicans couldn’t override. Soooooo, I wouldn’t plan too heavily on repeal.
GoldenEagle4444 on March 12, 2010 at 8:29 PM
My thoughts exactly. I know people think I am crazy when I tell them this is where BO is headed. I pray we are both wrong. But the sick feeling in my stomach tells me we might not be.
truetexan on March 12, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Because we live in the United States of Amercia, the ‘Freeist’ country in the world, where our ‘Free and Independent Press’ is written into our Constitution, the “Law of the Land” which restricts the power of our elected officials to the will of the ‘people’…
… That is why!
/
Seven Percent Solution on March 12, 2010 at 8:30 PM
It’s probably already in there right before granting The One as President, Supreme Ruler of USSA for Life.
tru2tx on March 12, 2010 at 8:31 PM
Too late by then. Must prevent it now. A miracle will have to save it. The Latino caucus, the black caucus, or a scandal of incredible proportions might still save us. In the meanwhile call/e-mail like your life and that of your kids and grandkids depends on it.
Schadenfreude on March 12, 2010 at 8:31 PM
Either way. Passage of healthcare or not under the conditions established by the filthy lying coward in the White House and his corrupt party will bite them in the arse.
The only question is who gets the bill. Obama is there for the dinner but wants to sneak out before he has to pay at all. Congressional Dems are there for the dinner but want to split the bill equally so that the folks who ordered starters and drinks are subsidized by the folks who just had a salad and water.
highhopes on March 12, 2010 at 8:32 PM
and they are a little ticked right now. It just wouldn’t move fast enough.
katy the mean old lady on March 12, 2010 at 8:32 PM
It is true. This is no different than a dictatorship. Why is it when you say that people think you are a kook? What would define dictatorship if not this? Don’t tell me anything about the Constitution because we aren’t following it!
PrincipledPilgrim on March 12, 2010 at 8:34 PM
I think Dems should just deem BO to be POTUS for life. Hell, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried.
evie on March 12, 2010 at 8:34 PM
There is a tailor in Singapore who does fantastic dictator wardrobes. Simply to die for!
katy the mean old lady on March 12, 2010 at 8:36 PM
hummmm. my posts are posting…
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:37 PM
Lieberman is a Lib, but he is an honorable man (I think) and the press will give him airtime. Would like to see the press corner him and get his take on these “procedures”.
KCB on March 12, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Did you go and get yourself in trouble?
thomasaur on March 12, 2010 at 8:38 PM
To improve the banana republic-like flavor of this, I think POTUS should award himself the rank of \”Colonel\” and dress up with all sorts of gold braid and epaulets. Or \”President for life\”.
bofh on March 12, 2010 at 8:38 PM
It’s not lying, it’s “softening”. Democrats are just a bunch of blatant softeners.
JavelinaBomb on March 12, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Were they not before?
TXMomof3 on March 12, 2010 at 8:39 PM
GOP congressmen, Louis Gohmert:
Schadenfreude on March 12, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Hussain @ the signing ceremony of the obamascare law
macncheez on March 12, 2010 at 8:40 PM
ALLAH:
Hugh Hewitt had on Congressman Campbell on his radio program ~90 minutes ago EST. Campbell obtained a memo written by the Dem leadership that outlines a legislative schedule as well as strategy and message. From what I heard, it does seem like they may try to fit in the 72 hours ending up with a vote over the weekend with POTUS flying off afterward. Perhaps it’s posted on Hewitt’s website?
toliver on March 12, 2010 at 8:40 PM
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:40 PM
The only Transparancy we see is the LIES, BRIBES, SNEAKY BACK-ROOM DEALS, PROCEDURES BE DAMNED, TO HELL WITH THE VOTERS ATTITUDE, BY THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.
TN Mom on March 12, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Possible, since the constitution requires the Aye and Nays for a vote to be recorded. “Deemed” votes might not qualify.
Also:
Tenth Amendment claims. The VA legislature just passed a law protecing its citizens from being required to buy insurance. Often a federal law does preempt state law, but sometimes even Congress overreaches. AZ has a constitutional amendment on its fall ballot that would do the same thing. It’s doubtful a federal law could preempt a state constitution.
There is a unanimous SCOTUS opinion, Duquesne Light, which hold you cannot regulate a company so much it cannot make a profit. That would be a taking without due process. WSJ had a good essay on this in December. And the goal is to regulate the insurance companies out of business and bring in single payer.
And yes, while the Court is impartial, dissing them at the SOTU was not a smart idea.
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Sweet lil’ O me? are you kidding?
;o)
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:42 PM
So the Dems are promising to give everyone an Obamacare colonoscopy, only you won’t know it until just before it happens…
Prepare,
Bend over,
Spread’em wide,
Prepare to kiss it all goodbye,
The Obamanation is on its way.
drfredc on March 12, 2010 at 8:42 PM
It doen’t take a lot at certain times.
thomasaur on March 12, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Funny you should post this. Before logging on to HA, I sent a message to my corrupt Congressman (Jim Moran) and Senators. I asked them how they could remain silent with anti-Constitutional stuff like the Slaughter solution are being thrown around.
But…. I also pointed out how meaningless it was to be correspond with them. I send an e-mail, they thank me for my opinion in a way that essentially says “go to hell” and they don’t even bother disguise the fact that they share the same staffers to answer my concerns. When you finally get a response back from any of the three (Moran,Webb, or Warner) you get the very same letter back from all three with the exact same paragraphs. And usually within minutes of each response. In short, it is meaningless for a citizen of Virginia to contact their Congressmen because they staff it all out without anybody seeing your message except some unemployable relative of a big contributor.
Democracy is being thwarted by the many layers the political class has put in place to protect them from their constituents. The tea parties were the first outlet in a long time that broke the paradigm. People were showing up at town halls and demanding something from these bastards and they were unprepared for something other than general questions about Medicare or the budget.
highhopes on March 12, 2010 at 8:43 PM
This will no doubt go through the supreme court, it’ll be the biggest thing since the recount in 2000. And they will vote it as unconstitutional. The great one Mark Levin says its a slam duck if they use the slaughter.
jaboba on March 12, 2010 at 8:44 PM
What Bill???????
singlemalt_18 on March 12, 2010 at 8:45 PM
I tried it again and it wouldn’t post… No moderation sign just not posting.
Wonder if the FCC has implemented their new internet spies already
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:45 PM
Good one.
fourdeucer on March 12, 2010 at 8:46 PM
It’s clear that the politburo is going to “deem” the bill passed and implement their socialist healthcare aberration. Remember when you once had a representative democracy in this Republic . . . we’ll you don’t anymore.
rplat on March 12, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Just checked for the document upload and nothing is posted. Since HotAir is part of the Salem/TownHall family, perhaps something can be done to get a look at this paper?
toliver on March 12, 2010 at 8:46 PM
It wouldn’t even let me post a link to CNS news with nothing else.
Weird
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Talk about forces of evil in a bozo nightmare…
Kensington on March 12, 2010 at 8:47 PM
I once ordered slam duck in Chinatown, and it was delicious.
Emperor Norton on March 12, 2010 at 8:48 PM
heh
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:50 PM
For anyone who ever wonder how it would be to live in a nation ruled by morons and psychopaths, well now now know.
MB4 on March 12, 2010 at 8:51 PM
It goes great with a couple of bottles of Tsingtao.
thomasaur on March 12, 2010 at 8:51 PM
This is one of the reasons why I suggested on another thread last night, a daily tracking poll: Will Obamacare pass, yes or no.
I also asked that question last night on FB @ the Hot Air Rendezvous Point group. I basically posed the question that do you think this will pass? On a scale of one to ten, rate your opinion.(One being won’t pass, 10 being done deal.)
My whole point, is that I know my emotions: optimism/pessimism/euphoria/depression/fetal-position-whimperingism…
are swinging like crazy depending on the trick dejour. Yesterday, for example, I was maybe a “6″. Today, I’m probably a 7.5. or maybe an 8. Two weeks ago, I and the Swedish judge, gave it a 9.5.
Chewy the Lab on March 12, 2010 at 8:52 PM
well now you know.
MB4 on March 12, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Slammed or not, I’m only interested in lame ducks when it comes to the criminals in charge of this nation.
highhopes on March 12, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Log off and clear your browser history as that seems to cause problems. It worked for me and someone else.
sharrukin on March 12, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Hey HH. I called Webbs DC office on Tuesday. Couldn’t get through or leave a message. So I called his Richmond office. An aide answered. I asked how I could set up a meeting in person with Senator Webb, because apparently he doesn’t seem to be hearing my voice through emails. I am a constituent and have a right to meet him face to face. She said I had to go through his DC office for that. I told her I couldn’t get through. She said she would send my information. it is Friday, 9pm, NOTHING! I am not surprised. I am tempted to pull my kids out of school on Monday or Tuesday, drive to DC and sit in front of his office until he personally explains to my 4 kids why he is supporting an administration that is throwing their future down the toilet.
truetexan on March 12, 2010 at 8:53 PM
I’ve only had once when I was on a date with some Navy corpseman.
Knucklehead on March 12, 2010 at 8:55 PM
Thanks. I’ll try it.
katy on March 12, 2010 at 8:55 PM
Pelosi:
“The people opposed to this wonderful bill simply don’t know what’s in it yet.”
“Everyone knows what’s in this bill, so we shouldn’t delay the vote by posting it online for 72 hours.”
Bruce in NH on March 12, 2010 at 8:56 PM
LMAO!
I just hope they can do something about covering those man boobs of his.
HornetSting on March 12, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Let the lawsuits begin! I hope they televise the impeachment hearings of Pelosi, any Dem that votes for it and especially Obama. Slaughter nonsense is a vilation of their oath of office. Once he signs it, the impeachement should be immediate
Niteowl45 on March 12, 2010 at 8:57 PM
The Audacity of Hope and Change.
RachDubya on March 12, 2010 at 8:57 PM
I can’t wait to see what else will be shoved down America’s throat by implication.
Bishop on March 12, 2010 at 9:03 PM
This little bump in the road has to be overcome, too. Wonder if they want a signed statement from 51 Dem Senators that they will vote for reconciliation.
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Above post was from The Hill. Sorry.
Wethal on March 12, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Heck, if you’re busy shredding the Constitution, what’s a little broken promise as the cherry on top?
jnelchef on March 12, 2010 at 9:04 PM
The Democrats will say they couldn’t keep the 72-hour pledge even if they wanted to because Daylight Savings starts Sunday, leaving a maximum of 71 hours.
Emperor Norton on March 12, 2010 at 9:06 PM
The fact that even “Crazy Larry” Lawrence O’Donnell (http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2010/03/12/odonnell-reconciliation-never-never-never-been-used) is cautioning reason and his lib pals are ignoring him and steaming full speed ahead, tells me that Obama and the democrats are thinking long term. They couldn’t care less how many seats they loose in the short term, because they know in the long term if this bill becomes law, conservatism is toast.
RMR on March 12, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Page 1483, printed in the smallest possible font: “There can be no repeal, demorat party is automatically given a majority no matter how many seats they hold in Congress.”
Bishop on March 12, 2010 at 9:08 PM
OK…I’m ready to:
“deem my taxes paid”
“deem I’m allowed to vote 10 times” and
“deem I”ll take to the streets and raise holy HELL about this”.
Ok, the LAST one in that list I’m going to do!
I plan to disrupt…LOUDLY…any and every Democrat Townhall I can find for the rest of this year!
Justrand on March 12, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Contemptible. No, beyond contemptible. What they’re doing to this country and our beautiful system is just beyond anything I could imagine. The French writer Simone Weil wrote about these special kinds of sins, i.e., sins committed against something beautiful and rare by people charged with being the caretakers to that thing, as the highest crime of all. We must be living through the greatest assault on our country from within, the worst betrayal of good faith, in our history.
rrpjr on March 12, 2010 at 9:08 PM
On the positive side, if the bill passes, and with all the slimy tricks being used, the credibility of the Democrat party will be destroyed for many years to come.
GFW on March 12, 2010 at 9:13 PM
Wait a minute, I thought the whole Slaughter idea had been abandoned. I just can not keep up with all this.
Terrye on March 12, 2010 at 9:13 PM
I don’t think the chance is “small” at all.
GarandFan on March 12, 2010 at 9:15 PM
I’ve been hearing 5 days, Allah, from Pelosi, even as recently has yesterday.
It’s all moot anyway. The fascists will pass this thing whether we like it or not.
madmonkphotog on March 12, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Uh….have you seen the sap suckers who vote demorat? You could video every attendee of the demorat convention engaging in a collective kitten stomping routine and eating the corpses afterward, and it wouldn’t make a whit of difference to their constituents.
Bishop on March 12, 2010 at 9:17 PM
“You soften!”
Sowell Disciple on March 12, 2010 at 9:17 PM
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