Posted on 09/11/2009 8:04:17 PM PDT by Born Conservative
U.S. Reps. Chris Carney and Paul E. Kanjorski lauded President Obama’s 45-minute address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night that detailed a blueprint for health care reform.
But both said it’s a long road to go from words in a speech to words in bill.
Carney said Obama’s foundation is solid and the congressman was “encouraged by what I heard.” But Carney will reserve making a commitment to support whatever bill comes up for a vote until he sees it.
“Once again, let’s see how we get there . . . It’s got to do a lot of things,” Carney, D-Dimock Township, said.
Among them are requirements Carney has said all along he needs to see in a bill that would get his support. Those beliefs didn’t change by what Obama said, but hearing the president insist on a bill that includes a lot of the core principles Carney has wanted all along was an important step to getting the second-term congressman’s support.
“I was heartened by what I heard,” Carney said.
Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, said the president “came through with an extraordinarily good case.” But like Carney, he said he will reserve judgment for his support of any bill until one is placed before him. If it includes the conditions the president called for Wednesday night, Kanjorski said he’d “be supportive.”
Along the town hall trail the past month, Carney insisted he was for health care reform. But he needed to see certain provisions in order to support such a bill. Among those he’s specifically identified were no funding for abortion on demand; no coverage for illegal immigrants; help for small businesses; not adding to the nation’s debt; the allowance for preexisting conditions. Each of those was mentioned by Obama and all in ways that’s in line with what Carney has called for.
Carney said that if what Obama called for is “the starting point and we’re given the time to address those, I’d be more inclined” to support such legislation.
“We absolutely need reform,” Carney said. After hearing Obama’s speech, Carney said “I think there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind we’re going to get health care reform.”
Kanjorski agreed.
Carney said he believes Obama’s big blunder wasn’t what he said Wednesday night but that it took him until Wednesday night to say it. He said the president should have been this passionate and clear about what he wanted to see long before mid-September.
“I don’t think that would have hurt,” Carney said.
Kanjorski said his gut feeling is that there’s a better chance than not of a health care reform bill passing both chambers of Congress this session. When that vote takes place is less clear. But he said if it doesn’t happen by year’s end, the chances are less likely.
“It would be very unfortunate if we miss this opportunity,” Kanjorski said.
Both representatives chided fellow Congressman Joe Wilson, R-S.C., for yelling out “You lie!” when Obama said extending health care to all Americans would not mean insuring illegal immigrants.
Kanjorski went as far to call for “action” to be taken against his colleague for what he called “crass” actions.
“That was probably the worst decorum I’ve ever experienced,” said Kanjorski, who’s been in office since 1985.
According to Associated Press reports, both Democrats and Republicans denounced Wilson’s remarks including Sen. John McCain, who ran against Obama last year.
“There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately,” McCain said.
Wilson did issue a statement apologizing for his outburst.
“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me,” he said. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”
Kanjorski said that even with the apology, some action should be taken to send a message this will not be tolerated.
“If we take no action on this, there will be only further deterioration invading the House and the Senate,” Kanjorski said.
You can bet he's already made up his mind; this statement is pure political CYA.
“encouraged by what I heard.”
AGAIN, NO ONE READ THE BILL!
ALL WRAPPED UP IN A PRETTY PACKAGE BUT THE SAME OL CRAP INSIDE, what an idiot!
“Carney insisted he was for health care reform. But he needed to see certain provisions in order to support such a bill. Among those he’s specifically identified were no funding for abortion on demand; no coverage for illegal immigrants...”
Folks, if you live in Carney’s district, mail or email in a copy of this CRS report to show that the public is AWARE that the Library of Congress states HR 3200 covers illegal aliens. If Carney gets flooded with these, he will have to be very careful in how he votes and can’t pretend he didn’t know. He is also one of the most vulnerable Dem congressmen (has a strongly GOP district) and knows he could be one of the first representatives to lose his seat next year.
Treatment of Noncitizens in H.R. 3200
Alison Siskin
Specialist in Immigration Policy
Erika K. Lunder
Legislative Attorney
August 25, 2009
http://ryanjames.us/HR3200NonCitizen.pdf
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