Dorgan Blocks Medicare Chief Appointment

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Tue, Mar. 09, 2004


Dorgan Blocks Medicare Chief Appointment

Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Bryon Dorgan of North Dakota announced plans Tuesday to block the Senate's confirmation of Mark McClellan, President Bush's choice to run Medicare, until he answers senators' questions about drug reimportation.

McClellan, who wants to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on Monday refused a request from Dorgan, Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan to testify in front of the Senate Commerce Committee.

The senators want to ask questions about McClellan's opposition to importing prescription drugs from Canada. But McClellan said he wouldn't answer questions before taking over the government health program.

"That is not satisfactory to me," Dorgan said in a news release. "I intend to put a hold on Dr. McClellan's nomination until he complies with the request of the Commerce Committee chairman to appear and testify."
(snip/...)

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/breaking_news/8137213.htm

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Best wishes for continued good health, Senator Dorgan.

[Malva Zebrina]

1. what you said

:scared:

[displacedtexan]

2. Cool!

:smoke:




(and I know that the smilie smoking isn't cool, but it's the closest thing we've got to 'James Dean cool.')

[jbfam4]

3. Good for Senator Dorgan

He can play hardball too.

[pinto]

4. good job, Dorgan. Yo! mail on the way. (my kudo to Congressfolks

who act on their responsibility to a tripartite government).

[Ilsa]

5. Questions? We don't need to answer no stinking questions.

Why should he? He's taking his cue from this famous line, "I don't testify."

[MisterP]

6. isn't that Scott's brother?

I recall he worked in Health

[catzies]

7. Yes, he is. Their mom is a bigwig in Texas too.

Wow, whoda thunk it -- a corrupt Texas political family cashing in.

[GOPisEvil]

12. Mark and Scott's mom is

Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn Cougar Mellencamp.

Her father was Dean of the U of TX, and has a street named after him (Dean Keeton :-) ). He was also a Democrat. So was Carole, at one time. She was mayor of Austin in the 1980s.

[joanski01]

8. Thanks for the good news.

Go, Senator Dorgan. He's been fighting for the drug importations from Canada for so long.

[Blaze Diem]

9. Byron Dorgan is my Senator..NorthDakota..Smart and Fair..

Dorgan has always represented us well. Although NDak is a very Republican State, he remains a "favorite son" in D.C. He has managed to prove his fairness for corporations, oil & gas industry, and the common sense of preserving dignity for our seniors and minimum wage earners. His history as State Tax Commissioner is flawless, and his voice in D.C. is generally direct and well thought out. Not a bragger, nor wealthy elitist. This action by Sen. Dorgan, today, does not surprise me..it was handled just as I have known him to approach most "questionable" political issues. I applaud him on Calling a rat, a rat! And having the professionalism and smarts to force the hand of another Bush "hack"..
Hope Sen. Dorgan can sustain his senatorial seat when his current term expires. No doubt Bush's repugs are already marking his days, after his attempt at fairness , today.
Best Luck to you senator Dorgan...I'll be there to fight diligently for you when your re-election time comes about.
Thanks
Blaze

[maddogesq]

10. Dems displaying nads are always a welcome sight. Go Byron! NT

.

[moondust]

11. Thank you Senator Dorgan!

Keep up the good work!

[kainah]

13. Yeah, Byron!