Waxman: No August Recess without Health Care Bill

[Joanne98]

This news comes from Reuters and is a happy smack down I believe of Blue Dog Democrats looking to stall the process.

The quote below from Henry Waxman obviously has Nancy Pelosi's support and is just what the doctor ordered for the current health care battle.

Republicans are playing hardball, "moderate democrats" are waffling, and lo and behold, the way this is countered is to meet the delay tactics head on.

I am very encouraged by this leadership in the House and cannot help but say it would be nice to see Harry Reid follow suit.

Can't find the link But Just search (Reuters house may delay august recess).

Upon further review this news is a week old. I have removed the Breaking from my title, but I haven't seen discussion on this, so I am leaving my diary up.

independentvoice's diary :: :: "We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our healthcare system," Representative Henry Waxman, a driver of the health care overhaul, told reporters.

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said the plan was on track for swift action before the August congressional break. "We believe this can be done," he said.

Obama urged congressional leaders to pass the bills in each chamber before the August congressional recess.

The House Ways and Means Committee, one of three House panels writing the bill, planned to start debate and votes on Thursday. The Senate is working on its own version and one committee was to finish work this week with the second, which will grapple with paying for the plan, to start next week. Continued...

You want more time to pass this bill? Fine. You have more time. Just don't expect to go home for summer vacation until this is done.

I am fired up.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/21/755941/-Waxman:-No-August-Recess-without-Health-Care-Bill

[Skink]

1. I'd like to see Biden retire in 2012 and Waxman join the ticket.

[TheCoxwain]

12. why rain on poor joe .. what's he done?

[BlueIdaho]

2. Article says this is a week old - not breaking news.

But I say get on the phone to all your elected representatives - TELL THEM NOT TO COME HOME UNTIL THEY HAVE A DEAL.

We can make this news if we apply some heat.

[Corvette42]

3. The higher the stakes, the more fine print you may want to read.

This thing is the biggest spending bill in US history. Regarding your family, would it be responsible to make the biggest financial commitment in your life without actually reading the contract? I would expect my representatives to do the same. I really want to know what is festering in the nooks and crannies of this thing before my representatives give it the go-ahead.

[Politicalboi]

4. If we can spend lives, and Trillions on an illegal war

In a blink of an eye without knowing all the details, this should be a walk in the park. The Repukes have no plan and we've been waiting 16 years now. Poor babies can't go on vacation.
Welcome to DU Corvette42

[Corvette42]

6. Two wrongs don't make a right.

It's an old phrase but a truism. And this is MUCH bigger. If the impact is negative, it could be HUGELY negative. The latest war's impact could pale by comparison.

This needs to be vetted.

[BlueIdaho]

5. Fine Then

Let them stay in DC reading fine print 24-7 until we have Health Care Reform. Americans are losing health care insurance at an alarming rate. More Americans are dying every day from a lack of health care access. Republicans and their Blue Dog buddies are not interested in fine print - they are only interested in creating FEAR of change. Its an old page in the republican playbook and the Blue Dogs are more than happy to play along.

Reform Health Care Now.

[Corvette42]

7. After over two centuries, a few months couldn't hurt.

There are LOTS of people paid to read and analyze this stuff. It's time they earned their money.

[BlueIdaho]

8. Do you know what the President is asking for?

He is not asking for finished legislation that he can sign into law before a congress takes a month off, he's asking each house to pass a bill before they leave for their all expenses paid fat cat vacations. Those two bills will still need to go into conference where the differences and details WILL be ironed out. Its only after that process - and another vote by both houses on the final bill that this thing has any chance to become law. Hells bells even if the final bill becomes law before Christmas most of it won't even take effect until 2013. That would be during President Obama's SECOND term.

All this talk about slowing down and taking our time are no more than republican talking points.

Its now or never - hold their feet to the fire.

[Corvette42]

9. It still needs to be vetted

It is always best to start from a well planned foundation. For something of this pure size, the original analysis must be as sound as possible, not rushed through to be "ironed out" later. Further, saying it would not take effect until 2013 is merely putting the potential pain in the future. The very near future. Because of my age, I consider three or four years to be pretty much the blink of an eye. It is as good as saying "next week". That does not make it ok. That is how people get in trouble buying more house or car than they can afford. And the day of reckoning DOES come.

[BlueIdaho]

10. It will be vetted - thats all part of the process but...

If you want to wait until the republicans control congress again to seek Health Care Reform - that's fine with me. Luckily plenty of others don't agree with you.

[Corvette42]

11. I need to research this

This blue dog thing is interesting. I'm gonna hit google news and a few other places and try to find out what organizations have come out against this and why. One thing nice about reading the comments of the opponents of a bill is that often you can decide solely on what they say - That is, if their arguments are either obviously lame or they are arguments you disagree with. :)

[KoKo]

13. That sounds hopeful...but then we've been promised much by Waxman...let's hope this is Real...K&R