Citing an assertion from Rules Committee ranking member David Dreier (Calif.) that “a vote for the rule is a vote for the Senate bill,” the group wrote: “We believe it is accurate to state in public communications that the effect of a vote for any rule illustrated in [Dreier’s memo] is a vote for the Senate bill and all of its provisions.” Put simply: Republicans believe that House Democrats using the “deem and pass” maneuver in no way prohibits GOP candidates and party committees from attacking them for “voting” for the Senate legislation.
The letter along with House Republican leaders’ vow to force a vote on the use of “deem and pass” is a reminder that GOPers believe the health care bill — no matter the outcome of the vote later this week (or weekend) — is something close to a silver bullet for them in the coming midterm elections. “The point here is that there is no cover for Democrats on this vote,” said Ken Spain, communications director of the NRCC — adding that the other side is “resorting to political and legislative trickery” to try and keep from being attacked in a campaign setting.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member