Posted on 11/18/2009 11:29:52 AM PST by Jeb21
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid prepared to unveil long-awaited healthcare overhaul legislation on Wednesday, with the first test vote on the package expected by the end of the week.
The healthcare reform bill, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, has been delayed in the Senate for weeks as Reid waited for cost estimates and searched for an approach that can win the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican procedural hurdles.
Senate Democrats have scheduled a 5 p.m. EST meeting in which Reid will brief them on the bill, and on the cost estimates provided by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
The bill's release would clear the way for a vote on Friday or Saturday by the full chamber on whether to proceed to debate on the measure -- the first key procedural hurdle for the Senate plan.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
The Senate must be persuaded to stop, block, filibuster, the Health Care Reform. The following are considered key Senators: people who will go either way.
Reid has NO margin for error: he has to get ALL 60 Dems in order to put the bill on the floor.
Here's the key concept: Urge these Senators to Vote No on any "procedural vote" to "move to the health bill."
This will happen Friday or Saturday!
We don't want the bill even to make it to the floor!
Ben Nelson (D NE)
Strong abortion opponent …Against Big Government, the "public option"…Fiscal conservative…Quote: "Faced with a decision about whether or not to move a bill that is bad, I won't vote to move it," he told ABC News. "For sure."
Use: City Omaha, Zip Code 68108 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (402)
Blanche Lincoln (D Ark)
Member of the Senate Finance Committee…Voted twice against making the "public option" part of the bill…Facing tough re-election, eager to display her conservative credentials in a state that was handily carried by Sen. John McCain… probably won't even agree to let the bill be debated on the Senate floor.
Use: City Little Rock, Zip Code 72291 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (501)
Joe Lieberman (I CT)
Independent but caucuses with the Democrats… has threatened to filibuster against public option. ..Quote: “I would use the power I have as a single senator to stop a final vote," he said in a recent televised interview.
Use City Hartford, Zip Code 06160 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (860)
Sen. Susan Collins (R Maine)
Could go either way…One of just three Republican lawmakers to cross party lines and vote for the Recovery Act (a.k.a. Federal Stimulus Package) …voted in favor of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2)…but although pro-“reform”, she is on record as being against (quote) "billions of dollars in new taxes and fees that will drive up the cost of health insurance premiums." The whole bill should be re-written, Collins said, according to the New York Times.
Use City Augusta, Zip Code 04330 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (207)
Robert Casey (D PA)
On record as an opponent of abortion, from a very pro-life district…
Use City Erie, Zip Code 16501 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (814)
Evan Bayh (D IN)
Concerned about tax on medical-device makers in the current legislation…Indiana is the third-biggest state for jobs in the medical device sector, with currently some 63,000 Indiana residents working in that field….Quote: "I want to know what works for families and small businesses."
Bayh says medical devices fee would "seriously threaten thousands of American jobs and deter innovation in the industry."
Use city Indianapolis, Zip Code 46201 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (317)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D LA)
Often “on the fence” about issues…Mixed voting record on Abortion, rated 43% by NARAL (pro-abortion) and 50% by NRLC (pro-life)…Favors letting some states try "trigger" mechanisms that would create a public option if residents don't have enough insurance choices (needs to be vehemently argued out of this fallback position)…Quote "I'm not for a government-run, national, taxpayer-subsidized plan, and never will be."
Use city New Orleans, Zip Code 70141 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (504)
Roland Burris (D IL)
A bit quirky and cantankerous, Burris' willingness to bend could prove crucial if Reid needs every possible vote in crafting a compromise, such as a national public option that is triggered if certain insurance availability targets aren't met. Or might favor a public option “offered by states, not feds.” Or “might” be pushed to favor no on the bill altogether. Push him to say NO, JUST NO! At age 72, Burris has virtually nothing to lose by defying his party's leaders and voting as he pleases.
Use city Kankakee, Zip Code 60901 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (815)
Reid does not plan on keeping the "Stupak-Pitts" pro-life amendment in the Senate version of the bill. He is expected to take up the House bill, and then replace it with a "Senate substitute" which will fund elective abortions. He is also in hot water about the "public option," with some Dem Senators saying they won't vote for the bill WITH public option, and some (on the Left) saying they won't vote for the bill WITHOUT it.
This is our chance to stop it dead.
Thanks for gathering the info and sharing it, to make it so much easier for us to take action.
Thank you for the list.
BTTT
Thanks, I sent my comments to Bayh.
Series P I N G
Take 20 minutes tomorrow to call these politicians tomorrow, and let them know how we feel about bringing Politboro Medicine to the Floor.
Mrs. Don-0 made it easy for us.
bttt
bump and thanks
There, fixed it.
2999,they will want to keep it under 3000.
They have the votes it is going to pass. Lets hope that the GOP gives them NO cover !!
Remember the scene from Frankenstein where he pulls back the veil and screams “It’s alive!”
Pelosi or some other chump will trot out on a mule with a big sign “free health care for everyone!”
Of course it was written BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!
While they floated news stories that it was DOA. I predicted this. Forrest Gump could have predicted this.
Oh they will brag and say such crap but will the media call them to the carpet for saying it was DOA while they were secretly working on it behind closed doors? Or did the media KNOW and were covering for them? They are insane!!! Every day is a nightmare.
Last night on FOX TV (of course, as the other outlets would never inform the public) they were talking about how they need 60 votes to get it to committee where it will have tons of additions and deletions then back to the floor were it will only need 51 votes to become law. Folks call your Senators tomorrow, tell then to KILL THE BILL. It needs to be stopped NOW!!!!
CALL!!!!!!
Last night on FOX TV (of course, as the other outlets would never inform the public) they were talking about how they need 60 votes to get it to committee where it will have tons of additions and deletions then back to the floor were it will only need 51 votes to become law. Folks call your Senators tomorrow, tell them to KILL THE BILL. It needs to be stopped NOW!!!!
CALL!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.