House Democrats’ ‘NO’ Votes Are Piling Up on Healthcare Reform

The Hill (via Congressman Garrett on Face Book) ^ | 03/11/2010 | Bob Cusack

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

More than two dozen Democrats are expected to vote against the healthcare reform bill that will hit the House floor in the coming weeks.

At least 25 House Democrats will reject the healthcare reform legislation, according to a survey by The Hill, a review of other media reports and interviews with lawmakers, aides and lobbyists. Dozens of House Democrats are undecided or won't comment on their position on the measure.

The 25 opposed include firm "no" votes and members who are likely "no" votes. Most Democrats on The Hill's whip list are definitely going to vote no, but others, such as Reps. Lincoln Davis (Tenn.) and Harry Teague (N.M.), could vote yes.

However, The Hill has not yet put Democrats who are insisting on Rep. Bart Stupak's (D-Mich.) language on abortion in the "no" category. Stupak has said there are 12 Democrats who supported the House bill in November who will vote no unless his measure blocking federal funding of abortions is melded into the final bill.

If leadership doesn't make changes to the abortion language and Stupak does indeed have 12 votes in his pocket, it will be very difficult to pass a bill. Yet if they do change the provisions, supporters of abortion rights in the House will threaten to vote no.

The Hill's list does not include members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who are threatening to vote no unless changes are made to the bill's immigration-related provisions. Most on Capitol Hill believe that language will not be changed and that most members of the CHC will still back the final measure.

With all Republicans expected to reject the bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) needs to minimize defections. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the House healthcare bill that passed 220-215 last November.

But the landscape has shifted a bit since last year with Rep. Parker Griffith's (R-Ala.) decision to leave the Democratic Party and four House vacancies. Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.), who backed the bill last time, will vote no unless the final bill contains changes on abortion-related provisions.

Assuming every member votes, Democratic leaders could not afford more than 37 defectors, which would lead to a 216-215 tally.

In an interview this week with Bloomberg and PBS host Charlie Rose, Pelosi indicated she has the votes to pass a bill. However, Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said on MSNBC Tuesday that he hasn't started to whip the vote yet.

The White House wants the House to vote by next week, but Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that meeting the White House deadline is highly unlikely. House leaders, including Hoyer, have publicly expressed their displeasure with the Obama administration for setting the March 18 deadline.

The House is expected to adjourn for two weeks on March 26. Hoyer indicated passing a bill by then would be difficult.

Pelosi's push for votes appears to have started. The Speaker was seen in a long conversation with Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) on the House floor Wednesday night. Perriello, who voted for the House healthcare bill last fall, is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the midterm elections.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is more bullish, predicting that a final bill will be on President Barack Obama's desk by the end of the month.

Height Analytics, an investment research firm, recently indicated that House Democrats are nine votes short on healthcare reform. In a report to investors last week, the firm stated, "Our analysis and current House whip count indicate that House leadership is nine votes [shy] of the 216 needed ..."

The Height Analytics report anticipates that Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) and Brian Baird (D-Wash.), who both voted no last fall, will support the legislation this year. During an appearance on "Fox News Sunday" last weekend, Altmire said he has an "open mind" on the bill.

[politicianslie]

President’s reputation? Are you kidding, America realizes that this lying Marxist clown is toast, he won’t be able to get elected dog catcher in 2012.

Fishing restrictions

Government land grab

Cap and Trade

Health Care, in your face, screw you America leadership.

Immigration with massive unemployment

The DEMO SOCIALISTS COMMUNISTS MARXISTS Anti-American crowd is about to get run out of Washington on a rail.

Hopefully we can find some adults like Jim Demint to splint America’s broken bones so we can at least start crawling again.

The next politician that says we can’t drill for oil needs to be tried and hung for treason.

[SeattleBruce]

“At least 25 House Democrats will reject the healthcare reform legislation, according to a survey by The Hill, a review of other media reports and interviews with lawmakers, aides and lobbyists. Dozens of House Democrats are undecided or won’t comment on their position on the measure.”

While I’m surely hoping and praying this is true, I’ll believe it when I (don’t) see it (a vote)!

[mwl8787]

1. There will never be a vote in the House to pass the Senate bill unless and until Pelosi has the votes. No speaker would subject his-her caucus to a difficult vote that isn’t a foregone conclusion.

2. Today Waxman dissed Stupak at Pelosi’s direction. Dumb move - puts them further away from the 216 they need.

3. With the decision of the Senate parlimentarian today, Pelosi cannot shield or protect her members from taking a recorded vote on the hated Senate bill. In one vote, every vulnerable House RAT will have to walk the following plank to political death:

YES to $500 billion in Medicare cuts
YES to $500 billion in new taxes
YES to the Louisiana purchase
YES to the Florida Gatorade
YES to the Cornhusker Kickback
YES to every sleazy deal in this corrupt bill
YES to the Cadillac tax that the unions despise
YES to taxpayer financed abortions

What reasonable person thinks that 216 House RATS are dumb enough to be laid exposed to this type of attack ad this fall?

The RATS jumping from Yes to No will accelerate overnight and into next week.

This was a very good day for killing BOcare. To finish the battle the GOP should play the Medicare Advantage card.