Posted on 12/22/2009 4:09:15 PM PST by mdittmar
WASHINGTON — It may be the only bipartisan agreement that Congress reaches this year on overhauling health care.
Republicans, under pressure not to wreck Christmas for lawmakers and their staffs, agreed Tuesday that Senate passage of the Democrats' controversial bill seemed inevitable and scaled back procedural-delay mechanisms to allow a vote by the morning of Christmas Eve.
Had the full debate continued, the Senate would have voted at around 9 p.m. Thursday, too late for many lawmakers and their staff members to get home in time for the holiday. Instead, the vote is set for 8 a.m.
President Barack Obama had announced that he'd delay his own departure for his family vacation in Hawaii until the vote was over.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had said that he'd been willing to stay late into Christmas Eve because, "It's important that we take the time to analyze it in every way that we can before the final votes are taken in the Senate."
However, Democrats as well as Republicans expressed concern about missing Christmas — since many live in places where planes can't get them home in time — and others were concerned about an ice storm that's threatening the Midwest.
McConnell also said, "The final vote in the Senate is not the final vote. There are substantial differences between the House and Senate bills. This debate is not over."
If the Senate's version passes as expected, it will be considered by a House of Representatives-Senate conference, or negotiating, committee, which typically operates largely in secrecy.
"The American people are still going to have another month or so, I would guess, to weigh in and express their concerns about this package to each of their representatives," McConnell said.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
Beat me to it.
Where are the patriots who will defend America from destruction? Washington’s troops didn’t get a Christmas break but, despite being shoeless and in some cases without even a pair of britches to cover their arses, stuck it out at Valley Forge in the freezing cold.
I spit on on the dems, but I loogie on the RINOs.
Very good point
We need not stoop to that level
Nonsense. It's the Demonrats insisting that this be done right now. The GOP would be happy to just adjourn now.
Turn on c-span.
They haven’t given up at all.
Senator Ensign has the floor and he’s just called the entire bill UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND NOW HE’S ARTICULATING THE REASONS.
I hate being preached to by Rush, Levin, Hannity and the like about how there IS a significant difference between Democrats and Republicans, when they do stuff like this they prove there is NOT.
Most major talk radio host are gone tomorrow, and the GOP is just caving in. Its all sickening.
I understand they think a 3rd party run would be a Dem victory, but COME ON! We are tired of getting raped by both sides! Vote the BUMS out! primary primary primary!
True political conviction there. /s
Mitch McConnell has no spine. In my early career I just about worked every holiday, and my family worked with me so we could get together on a near off day and celebrate Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and other important holidays. The GOP caucus should fire McConnell tomorrow!!! He is useless and, he let the dumbest man in the Senate, Harry Reid roll him like the weak rag doll he is!!! GOP dump McConnell now!!!
Tagged for reference because I want to be able to verify that rePugnants and demonRATs are all cut from the same degenerate cloth.
Bingo! That's exactly what they should have done.
Well.
Since the Staff makes 30% more than an individual working in the private sector I say they should stay through Christmas.
How about if WE THE PEOPLE...occupy your vacant space till you get back? /we can pass some legislation too like...YOU ARE FIRED! Everylast one of you!
Mrs. Smith, I understand the republicans forced your husband to stay in Washington DC so late on Christmas eve that you and your baby had to spend your very first Christmas together alone.
Yes, that is right. Those evil scrooge like republicans knew that they didn't have the votes to stop this wonderful expansion of health care to each and everyone. Their delay was just a spiteful way to get revenge; much worse than when Newt Gingrich shut down the parks. But even though we miss him, my baby and I know that my husband did the right thing by standing up to those evil right wingers.
They gave away the only decent hand they had to play.
Too Fracking Bad!
You are smashing Fascism down our maws - I really don't care about your "Christmas!"
Quite sincerely, 'Pod
The OP(formerly the GOP) wing of the socialist Republicrat party caves in again! Is there any wonder why polls are trending towards the tea party movement and away from the weak kneed OP?
Republican senators should drag this out forever, if possible. This bill is an unconstitutional monstrosity, and will be an iron yoke on the neck of working Americans, American stockholders, and American companies and businesses of all sizes and organizational structures. Not to mention American taxpayers. Republican politicians, as a whole, are far too polite to those who seek to destroy America from within. Never ever quit. And for what semators are paid, in salary and bennies, working Christmas eve and Christmas day, if necessary, is not too much to ask, is it? Have you ever met a poor senator or congressional staffer? Me neither. Never ever quit. Wussies. No wonder the libs are running amuck.
God is all we need to defend us...
He is the only one who can...
Merry Christmas...
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