Reid: No health care vote in Senate until fall

[villager]

Source: AP

Reid: No health care vote in Senate until fall


By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – The top Democrat in the Senate says lawmakers won't vote until after August on health care, a blow to President Barack Obama's ambitious timetable.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters Thursday the Finance Committee will act on its portion of the bill before Congress' monthlong break. Then Reid will merge that bill with separate legislation already passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

The Nevada Democrat says the decision to delay a vote was made Wednesday night in the hopes of getting a final bipartisan bill.

Obama had pressed for the full House and Senate to vote on respective bills before the August recess. The news came just hours before the president's fresh appeal for a health care overhaul at an appearance in Ohio.

<snip>

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

---

Gutsy Reid's search for "bipartisanship...."

[tj2001]

1. Meanwhile Senator Reid enjoys a most excellent health care program

courtesy of taxpayers

[felinetta]

17. Let's cut off the Senators health care until it is done!

[NOW tense]

20. Maybe he feels

that getting back to his fund raising is more important...
He has only received:
UnitedHealth Group......................$20,000
Select Medical Corp.....................$18,000
HealthSouth Corp........................$13,400
Promise Healthcare......................$12,500
Nevada Cancer Institute.................$11,600
Federation of American Hospitals........$11,000
Triad Hospitals.........................$10,000
Liberty Mutual Insurance................$10,000
LifePoint Hospitals.....................$10,000

I am sure by his statement he might be able to get a few more bucks for his campaign.
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cid=n00009922&cycle=2010&type=I&newMem=N&recs=100

[BlooInBloo]

2. That's ok - as long as it's in committee, they say.

[havocmom]

3. Voters: buh-bye!

Reid has been a huge disappointment. He is a wanker. $ to any real DEM who runs against him next time.

[goclark]

4. HUGE Disappointment

Why did he wait until today to say this?

[mvd]

5. "final bipartisan bill"

That doesn't sound good. Obama didn't give up; Reid shouldn't either.

[Old Codger]

10. Didn't give up

Reid was never in it,so hard for him to "give up"

[mvd]

19. To me that's what made him give up easily

He was trying, just halfheartedly unlike Pelosi.

[Old Codger]

38. Yup

Pretty much what I meant LOL

[brianna69]

6. WTF! Why is Reid majority leader?

What freaking purpose does he serve? Why the hell is the senate being held up for Baucus to dilute real healthcare reform for the hope of get just 2 repug votes? This is insane. With "friends" like the democrats who needs enemies. I want Reid gone in 2010. He is useless. The problem for the President is not republicans but weak, spineless and backstabbing democrats.

[mvd]

8. No Repuke votes will be gotten by giving more time

The bill will either be weakened to the point it's no step up, or the Repukes will use the time to mount opposition. They are just taking advantage of Reid again.

[Doctor_J]

7. Harry is an appeaser on the level of Chamberlain

a complete disaster.

Edit:

Chamberlain: OK, you can annex Sudetenland
Reid: OK, we can wait until after the break

I fear for Reid when the proletariat finally fight back.

[bdamomma]

9. Reid what a waste he is, who owns him that they put off this healthcare vote.

can it be any clearer that some in the Congress are for their own self interests. What will it be another 50 years before Americans get healthcare, what do they have against the people. Don't they have healthcare so should we.

[mike_c]

11. Reid is a waste of air...

...who already enjoys the best health care government can provide.

:puke:

[WriteDown]

12. Good, Reid finally came through...

The Universal Healthcare Company Pay bill should be stopped in its track. Its time to talk single-payer and not this heist.

[villager]

13. oh, I'm sure Reid is "holding out" for single payer!

(emoticon really needed?)

[WriteDown]

15. Probably not....

but as long as it stops The Great Healthcare Heist then its good. This is a bill that Mitt Romney would be proud of.

[villager]

16. Reid is just working to make it "heistier," though...

to suit his masters...

[HughMoran]

22. HAHAHA!!

Single payer - yeah - Reid will get right on that after the month long break :eyes:

NOT!

[mvd]

24. LOL

But sadly your sarcasm is true.

[HughMoran]

26. I've had it with Reid's facile "leadership"

He's not a leader and it's hurting the Democrats tremendously.

[felinetta]

14. Screw his vacation while people are dying. I sent this email to Harry

Sen Reid,

Just heard you're not giving up your August to
help Americans get health care. How dare you.
I don't buy your reason that you need more time. I read that
as giving Americans the finger.
I hope you and all the other senators have  great vacations
while more people will die because their
insurance companies won't give them medical insurance for
their illnesses. And how many will lose their health care
while you are on vacation?
And let's not forget the cost you're permitting for the
uninsured who will have to use the Emergency Room services to
be treated. Shame on you. You could never be trusted and
you've proven it again. And by the way, you are also spitting
in Pres Obama's face. We voted for  him to get
things done and you are a big fat thwart.
Who needs you as a Democrat? Leave the party. Go
join the putrid Republicans. Go right now.

[corpseratemedia]

18. I wonder what reps do when they get a lot of mail like this?

I mean Orville Reid has been in the way of Democrats getting anything done.

Why can't he be replaced as the Senate Dem leader with someone who is a real Democrat?

[Sherman A1]

21. Sherman A1 to Reid

No money from me for any Democrat (House or Senate) unless this thing gets done.

[HughMoran]

23. FUcking lazy ass hole - no vacation until it's done!!!

What the FUCK is wrong with these ass holes!

Bipartisan? WHAT? The only way to make a bill bipartisan is to ruin it.

Reid is a fucking ass hole.

[goclark]

27. Yes he is ~

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/reid-no-vote-on-health-care-before-august-recess.php

[Butch350]

25. F**king Bastards!

[Jefferson23]

28. Who exactly supports Reid? Miserable failure imo on so many levels.

[Piewhacket]

29. Reid, goddamn you. You got 60, get it done NOW you whimp!

[gauguin57]

30. Thanks, Harry. I'll just keep putting off going to the doctor (since my insurance is so expensive)

until then. 'Preciate your concern.

[SandWalker1984]

31. Translation: Real health care reform is screwed!

Any delays will give the corporate lobbyists for the insurance companies more time to buy off members of Congress. The fix is in.

The message is becoming clear that with many Democrats are getting bought off by the corporate health insurance lobbyists, any meaningful health care reform is fast becomming a fantasy.

Obama promised several times during the campaign that there would not be a MANDATE to buy health insurance in his plan. He made it clear. That's why the momentum went towards him and away from Hillary Clinton's mandate insurance plan.

Now ALL plans being discussed conveniently include a mandate for ALL Americans to buy health insurance. Obama last night in his speech said he would support a mandate. He sold us out!

We are not going to get meaningful health care reform that we were promised.

Obama has caved to the insurance companies, as have the Democrats.

I predict what they will finally produce as "reform" will be a Massachusetts type system, where everyone is forced to get PRIVATE INSURANCE or pay a penalty, ie TAX. Because it is not real reform, insurance companies will raise the rates as usual, making big profits. The government option will end up being a weak, useless public plan in name only option - one the health insurance CEOs will love and control.

Shafted again, and by our own party this time. THAT really hurts!

:grr:

[ramapo]

32. I am so pissed off

A bunch of gutless wonders. I could rant on about it but I am just to pissed off.

[ramapo]

37. Here's my letter...

I discovered 1payer.net today. It faxes your letter to the principles and your elected reps.
------------------------------------------------
Not an hour or two after sending you my plea to continue work towards quick passage of health reform do I hear that Sen. Reid has put off a vote on legislation.

To say I am disappointed and disgusted with our Congress is putting it mildly.

How many will lose coverage, go bankrupt and suffer due to inadequate or lack of insurance while Congress enjoys its vacation?

How much money will the lobbyists shower on you to deep six the whole idea of reform or at least enact as minimal a package as possible?

This is how a Democratic majority shows its support for our President?

While you all enjoy your time off, I can continue to worry about how to insure my 22-year-old son who has been denied insurance because he had the audacity to have a brain tumor removed when he was sixteen.

Your excuses, delays, and pandering to the lobbyists, Republicans, and not a few Democrats make me sick. I can only imagine what a Republican Congress would do with a 60-seat majority. Their agenda would be enacted swiftly and ruthlessly.

Might I be overreacting? Time will tell. I can promise you this much. If you fail to enact legislation that includes at minimum a strong and affordable public option and elimination of all pre-existing conditions, then I will only be able to conclude that our Congress has been bought off once again. The year 2008 will have been the last year that I voted for a Democrat for Congress, much less contribute money to one.

[Lorien]

33. How many Americans will die between now and then

because they can't afford insurance, are denied a claim or can't afford the deductible? We've spent 3 trillion as a vendetta (supposedly) against those who attack us on 9/11, but we can't spent 1/3 of that over TEN YEARS to save hundreds of thousands of American from suffering, disability and death? WHERE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES REID AND CO.?

[2Design]

34. Huge mistake - now the gop can swiftboat it all summer - cut of their health care

until they resolve our health care - we are paying for them when we cannot afford it ourselves

[santamargarita]

35. How many more people will die while these lazy assholes are on break?

Harry Reid must be voted out!

[Triana]

36. still praying at the "bipartisan" gods eh?

Idiot.

Harry Reid is worse than useless.

[fascisthunter]

39. Hey Reid? What party do you belong to?

Because your actions of the past several years have aided the GOP and not the common man.

[Kitsune]

40. Twitter is really giving it to Spineless Harry

http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23harryreid

I still marvel at how useless some of our elected Democrats are.

[notesdev]

41. Reid: No Senate health care vote until fall

Source: MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Slow down, Senate Democrats told President Barack Obama on Thursday, dashing hopes of rushing his sweeping health care overhaul to a summertime vote and adding to the troubles the plan could face as the year wears on. "That's OK," the president replied gamely. "Just keep working."

No one is suggesting that delay equals defeat. In fact, the Senate's top Democrat promised a bipartisan bill in the next two weeks. But Obama has been pushing hard for quick passage of legislation he can sign to expand coverage to all Americans and control ruinous medical costs. And he's counting on fast action while his first-year popularity holds.

Republican foes have been settling into a delaying game in hopes of weakening if not killing the historic changes in the way America provides and pays for health care. But they're not the source of the immediate problem. Divisions within the ranks of Obama's fellow Democrats have stalled the legislation. ....


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32104253/ns/politics-capitol_hill

[Abq_Sarah]

42. So I guess the idea of running this through

With a simple majority has been discarded?

[Thrill]

43. October is when they can use reconciliation

[Hansel]

49. People will be getting their new benefit packages from their employers

too. This will be a good time to have the vote because it's fresh in people's minds that every year the premiums and deductibles increase. Democrats should be able to take advantage of this to get better legislation passed.

Of course, they aren't known for there street smarts. sigh

[Divine Discontent]

44. OK, Fine... let a few tens of thousands more die in those months of delay while they politicize this

to get things they want, for helping it along.


No biggie... just the death of the old, young, poor working class or unemployed/disabled who are awaiting approval to be on medicaid.


We should really meet these senators the day they go on recess, go to their office or homes and have a rally outside each of the 100 senators places...


WOULD SOME ORGANIZATION LIKE MOVEON DO THIS?

[4lbs]

50. Read up on how many people died in the year it took to pass civil rights leglislation or even just

during the two months when it was being filibustered, not by the Republicans, but by Conservative Southern Democrats.

This health care reform is starting down the same path.

[Demeter]

45. I Think We Need a Prairie-Chicken-Hunting Party

and bring Cheney along....

[liberalmuse]

46. Fuck these worthless pieces of shit.

The whole lot of them ought to be thrown out on their asses and tarred and feathered. Fuckers.

[PhilosopherKing]

47. WTF is taking Baucus so long?

I think we need to question these "blue cross" Democrats about their intentions in this debate. Do they really want reform?

[ananda]

52. Baucus has received over 3 million dollars..

.. from insurance companies and corporate lobbyists.

He's not alone in this kind of corruption, either.

[natrat]

48. the junta has decreed that the clock will be run down with stalling tactics

this will give the billions in corporate advertising time to work just enough to create some doubt amongst the sheep
They will say Obama wanted it but (insert whatever excuse they babble about here) They will frame it to look like obama really cared but it just couldn't happen. Your fucking nuts if you think anything good is coming the way of the american people via washington

[BlueIdaho]

51. Its over - it wasn't even close.

Once again corporate fat cats trump the voice of the people. I'm starting to think this was just about crooked politicians extorting a little more payola out of their lobbyist cronies.

[Divine Discontent]

53. well, based on the FBI busts of local fat cats in NJ, it wouldn't surprise me at all

to see that big corps have given a million bucks to any senator who pushed hard against this...

if this fails (I don't see it doing that, but it will never stop being a battle), then there will be a political revolution. Obama started it by getting in as a 'black man', and even though I don't think he's done all that well overall because of several other issues we all have read about that are too similar to * or just where he outright lied (signing statements, DADT), he deserves MUCHO credit for fighting for health care for most of the population - and if we have to throw out the bums like Landrieu and others that are stalling - then so be it. I hope it still passes by the end of the year, but yes, think of how many will die in the months of delay that this will cause....

shame on those who are doing this for profit... there treasures are on earth only, but hell awaits them.

[natrat]

91. at least congress is skilled at the art of the shakedown

[provis99]

54. That's it. Game over. The Public Option is now officially dead.

The Senate weasels and Blue Dogs have made sure of it.:mad:

[kpete]

55. Harry Reid: Health care won't happen before recess

Source: Politico

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today that the Senate
would not attempt to pass sweeping health care reform until after returning from the August recess.

“It’s better to get a product that’s based on quality and thoughtfulness than on trying to just get something through,” Reid told reporters.

Reid said the Senate would try to complete a package in the fall.

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin said Wednesday that he expected that a bill would not be passed before the upper chamber breaks for recess on August 7.

“All this is no surprise to anyone,” Reid said.





Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25331.html

[Teaser]

56. At least it looks like the Senate Finance Committee will report out its bill

so we can see what it looks like.

[joeybee12]

57. Should we all compile our best definitions of leadership and send them to Harry?

He doesn't seem to know what that is.

[CoffeeCat]

58. Way to lead Harry...

...with Democrats like you, who needs Republicans?

[FiveGoodMen]

59. Good.

Right now they all seem to be rushing head-long into another bad decision (like the Patriot Act and TARP).

I think a delay is a good thing in this case.

[Lorien]

71. They've had plenty of time to think about this. How many Americans will die

because of this delay? They want us to FORGET that we want single payer. They are hoping for another disaster so that we won't demand a public option. IF NOT NOW, WHEN??

[FiveGoodMen]

84. Sign the Patriot Act Today!!!!!! Without reading it!!!!! Or we'll all be dead by dinner time!!!!

Give banks a trillion dollars!!!!!!

Don't ask what we spend it on!!!!!!

Or the Economy will collapse before the 10:00 news!!!!!!



Give us a health-care bill today!!!!!

Compromise any way you have to just to get it done!!!!!!

Or there will never be a health-care bill at all!!!!!!


See the pattern?

[bdamomma]

60. Obama should share some of his letters from people

who are stuggling with health care issues to Senator Reid, geez, what the hell is going on? Congress is Obama's biggest obstacle.

The American people are on the back burner getting burned.

[KansDem]

78. I'm sure Reid already knows about these letters...

Perhaps the letters from Big Insurance are taking precendence...

[felinetta]

61. People will die while Harry and the Senators are off. I sent this email to Harry.

Sen Reid,

Just heard you're not giving up your August to
help Americans get health care. How dare you.
I don't buy your reason that you need more time. I read that
as giving Americans the finger.
I hope you and all the other senators have  great vacations
while more people will die because their
insurance companies won't give them medical insurance for
their illnesses. And how many will lose their health care
while you are on vacation?
And let's not forget the cost you're permitting for the
uninsured who will have to use the Emergency Room services to
be treated. Shame on you. You could never be trusted and
you've proven it again. And by the way, you are also spitting
in Pres Obama's face. We voted for  him to get
things done and you are a big fat thwart.
Who needs you as a Democrat? Leave the party. Go
join the putrid Republicans. Go right now.

[goclark]

85. Love your letter to Reid

He really steams me.

[felinetta]

62. Let's cut off the Senators health care until it is done!

[OhioChick]

69. Sounds like a plan. n/t

[The Stranger]

63. Filibuster-proof majority, and this piece of shit is repeating the GOP talking points.

" . . . trying to ram something through . . . "


Is there any question any more who he really serves?

[AndyTiedye]

67. We DO NOT Have a Filibuster-Proof Majority

because the "blue dogs" vote with the Republicans more often than not, giving them a working majority.

[The Stranger]

81. That would be where good leadership comes in.

But we have someone who basically serves the opposing side.

[sellitman]

64. Mother F'ers!!!!!!

Remove these poor excuses of a Democrat

[dugaresa]

65. why should he care, he has taxpayer funded healthcare

and a nice recess to go home and schmooze.

Meanwhile, Americans are out of work and many have no healthcare.

[timeforpeace]

66. But Nancy's got the votes.

[Lorien]

72. And that's probably why their insurance co. masters want them to wait. nt

[seafan]

76. Exactly. She has the votes. And Big Healthcare Inc. wants to stop her. Enter, Harry the enabler.

July 22, 2009




The Hill:

July 23, 2009

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is bending on the pre-recess deadline for a health reform bill.

"The Republicans have asked for more time, and I don't think it's unreasonable," Reid said at a noon press conference.

.....

[hedgehog]

68. If there's work to be done, why a recess?

[KansDem]

79. Maybe the Repubs are wetting their pants and need a recess?

[santamargarita]

70. No health care no recess and if you do leave, don't come back!

Goddamn bunch of assholes!

[goclark]

74. Can Obama say that to them

?

And why did Reid decide to make this announcement today?

Why didn't he say it before the President's speech?

What a wimp ~ we know he got a big side deal for that one.

[GinaMaria]

89. Can we say that to them?

They need to start answering to those who elected them.

[goclark]

93. Absolutely ~

[seafan]

73. Harry Reid: "The Republicans have asked for more time, and I don't think it's unreasonable."

holy gawd

[Blasphemer]

77. More time for what?

So they can make demands that weaken a bill they won't support anyway? I can't believe they are still pulling this phony bipartisanship crap.

[KansDem]

80. More time for this...

[totodeinhere]

83. Of course they want more time.

And after the recess they will stall for even more time. And we all know the reason for that is because the GOP hopes that if they can stall it long enough it won't pass at all. That is their ultimate goal.

BTW, I'm glad that I live in Nevada because I will have a chance to vote against Uncle Harry in the 2010 Democratic primary.

[Zorra]

86. Way to go! Old "Give 'em

Head Harry" Reid does it aqain.

[BlueIdaho]

75. I am livid.

This incompetent coward is such a weakling its unbelievable. He does not belong in his leadership position. I think he suffers from Stockholm Syndrome and needs to be put out to pasture.

Harry Reid can go to hell.

[goodboy]

82. Fuck you, Harry Reid. (nt)

[fascisthunter]

87. like I asked in another thread, "what party do you belong to?"

This better not set health reform up for failure.

[badgervan]

92. We're Cursed....

... with terribly weak Dem "leadership" right when we need it the most. I still would like to see Russ Feingold heading up the Senate. Somehow he has gotten labeled as a far left partisan, but if you look at his record the guy is closest to what most of us want done after the past eight years. Reid and Pelosi are way too ineffective, weak and scared of political hardball.

[GinaMaria]

88. Things are becoming more desperate everyday

for people in this country. Waiting is death sentence for too many. This needs to be given everything they've got and then some. They need to blow the whole wad (of political capital) on this. It must be now. So many are hanging on by a thread and many more have lost hold of the thread. Reid wouldn't wait that long to see a doctor if he was sick, but he'll make the American people that long before they can even think about seeing a doctor as a covered patient. The line has been drawn in the sand. Let's not wait for the tide to come in and wash it away.

[Blue_Tires]

90. thanks for nothing, blue dogs...