The Hill: Hoyer Says House could Leave Without Health Vote

[flpoljunkie]

Hoyer: House could leave without health vote

By Mike Soraghan

Posted: 07/21/09

The House could leave for its August recess without voting on a healthcare overhaul if Democrats can't resolve their conflicts over the shape of the legislation, a top Democrat said Tuesday.

"If we get consensus, we'll move on it. If we don't get consensus, I don't think staying in session is necessarily necessary," House Majority Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). "We'll see. I'll make that decision next week."

Hoyer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democrats have previously said they intend to pass the bill by July 31, when the House's August recess is scheduled to start.

And House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said on MSNBC Tuesday that legislators "cannot keep putting this off."

"I have absolutely no problems with us working through the August recess if that's what it takes," Clyburn said.

But the bill has been bogged down by concerns among centrist Blue Dog Democrats, who say the bill doesn't cut enough costs, and by freshman Democrats, many of whom oppose an income surtax on the wealthy to help pay the cost of the $1 trillion overhaul.

Some members want to wait to see what the more conservative Senate will do, so that members don't have to make tough votes on issues, like taxes, that can't get through the Senate.

Aides for other leaders have suggested that Congress could stay into the August recess to finish the bill.

This story was updated at 1 p.m.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hoyer-house-could-leave-without-health-vote-2009-07-21.html

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Since this is not an election year, why the fuck do they need a recess anyway?

Do what you were elected to do, goddamn it.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Rep. Clyburn, the House whip, says he has no problem staying through August to get it done.

That's what we want to hear.

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. Clyburn gets it, as does Waxman. Hopefully there are more who agree.

Not that surprised that Jellyfish Pelosi and Steny Whore don't get it, since they usually DON'T.

[Indydem]

3. They are SUPPOSED to meet with constituants and get their feedback on their votes.

Plus, they get to take a vacation like most Americans can't due to the Bush economy.

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. If they gave a shit what their constituents thought

We would already have single payer, and the ridiculous occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan would be ended already.

[babylonsister]

4. He needs to talk to Waxman. Oh, and love that defeatist attitude there,

Steny.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x465388
Waxman: No August Recess without Health Care Bill

[AngryAmish]

5. No - you stay until it is done

Slackers.