Finance Committee rejects two key Republican amendments

[ProSense]

Senators reject photo ID for health care benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators working on a health overhaul have rejected a Republican move to require photo identification for federal health benefits.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said his amendment would have helped cut fraud in health care programs for low-income people. It would have required applicants to present a government-issued ID when applying for Medicaid or the children's health care program.

But Democrats said unscrupulous medical providers — not beneficiaries — are usually the ones responsible for fraud. They said current ID requirements for beneficiaries are strong enough. The vote was 13-10, against the amendment.

Senators reject stronger anti-abortion language

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – In a vote with far-reaching political implications, senators writing a health care overhaul Wednesday rejected a bid to strengthen anti-abortion provisions in the legislation — which could reach the Senate floor in the next two weeks.

The 13-10 vote by the Senate Finance Committee could threaten support for the health care bill from some Catholics who otherwise back its broad goal of expanding coverage. But women's groups are likely to see the committee's action as a reasonable compromise on a divisive issue that is always fraught with difficulties.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, argued that provisions already in the bill to restrict federal funding for abortions needed to be tightened to guarantee they would be ironclad.

But his amendment failed to carry the day. One Republican — Olympia Snowe of Maine — voted with the majority. One Democrat — Kent Conrad of North Dakota — supported Hatch.

more

What the hell is wrong with Kent Conrad?

[BlooInBloo]

1. Seems perfectly clear to me what's wrong with Conrad.

[GodlessBiker]

2. Too many winter nights in Bismark?

[Mass]

3. Don't know, but he is also against the clean energy bill.

He may be trying to gain the title of most corporatist Democrat?

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/09/30/kerry-boxer-clean-energy-jobs/

[ObamaKerryDem]

4. Good to hear! Repubs were bragging yesterday about the two PO ammendments failing..

...what now? :evilgrin:

And is Conrad even a Democrat or have they just been putting the wrong letter after his name all this time? :thumbsdown:

[flyarm]

5. but when Public Option failed ..50 MILLION A YEAR OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS PASSED FOR THIS CRAP

not to worry your little heads but this passed yesterday..
when the public option failed.........

Panel votes to restore abstinence education money
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee voted Tuesday night to restore $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education that President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate.

The 12-11 vote by the Senate Finance Committee came over objections from its chairman, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.

Two Democrats - Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas - joined all 10 committee Republicans in voting "yes" on the measure by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Senate Finance Committee votes to restore federal funding for abstinence education
Associated Press

Last update: September 29, 2009 - 10:31 PM
WASHINGTON - A Senate committee voted Tuesday night to restore $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education that President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate.
The 12-11 vote by the Senate Finance Committee came over objections from its chairman, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.


http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/62764212.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhU6:_0c:QyDiiUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr

or

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/62764212.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhU6:_0c:QyDiiUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr

[Ikonoklast]

6. Needs to pass the House in reconciliation.

It will get whittled down.

[flyarm]

7. not the point..this shit passed and people are going without health care !!

losing their homes going bankrupt and some dying with no health care..but this shit passed!!

[Mass]

8. Yes, there were numerous threads yesterday about that.

And our friend Conrad is in that, of course. Very serial offender.

[flyarm]

10. as Jane Hamsher over at Firedoglake says.....

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/29/leave-your-blame-the-republicans-emails-here/

Leave Your “Blame the Republicans” Emails Here!
By: Jane Hamsher Tuesday September 29, 2009 5:05 pm

I know my inbox is full of emails blaming the Republicans for killing the public option on the Senate Finance Committee. They're hilarious.

That's right, the GOP did it!

Leave yours in the comments. Maybe we'll have a drinking game to see how fast each one starts pimping triggers.

It seems to have escaped their notice that Democrats did the exact same thing they're blaming the Republicans for. Just enough of them, in fact, to make sure the public option failed.

Funny how that always works, isn't it?

[depakid]

9. This should be taken as a given

That it's not tells us a LOT about the state of the so called "60 vote" Senate.