Barney Frank Sees Brown Win as Reason to Change Course on Health Care (It's DEAD, Jim!)

Wizbang ^ | 1-20-10 | Lori Byrd

[tcrlaf]

Barney Frank (D-MA) released this statement following Brown's win tonight. (Transcribed by me from MSNBC):

"I have two reactions to the election in Massachusetts. One, I am disappointed. Two, I feel strongly that the Democratic majority in Congress must respect the process and make no effort to bypass the electoral results.

If Martha Coakley had won, I believe we could have worked out a reasonable compromise between the House and Senate health care bills. But since Scott Brown has won and the Republicans now have 41 votes in the Senate, that approach is no longer appropriate.

I am hopeful that some Republican senators will be willing to discuss a revised version of health care reform because I do not think that the country would be well served by the healthcare status quo.

But our respect for democratic procedures must rule out any effort to pass a health care bill as if the Massachusetts election had not happened.

Going forward, I hope there will be a serious effort to change the Senate rule which means that 59 votes are not enough to pass major legislation, but those are the rules by which the health care bill was considered, and it would be wrong to change them in the middle of this process."

I don't know if Frank has said anything similar before, but this is the first I am hearing it. It sounds to me like at least some Democrats have gotten the message and don't want to own this stinker of a health care bill.

[TradicalRC]

Party tonight. Ted Kennedy’s grave. There Will Be Dancing.

[MrB]

Party tonight. Ted Kennedy’s grave. There Will Be Dancing.

Followed by a "big pee".

[taildragger]

With unemployment over 10%, Frank is no doubt concerned about his job.

Hey Barney your Next !!!

http://sholleyforcongress.us/

[Lorianne]

The table legs have spoken Mr. Frank
Thanks for your condescension.
It’s done wonders for your team.