Coburn vows to read the entire health care bill on the Senate floor.

[cal04]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/17/coburn-read-health-bill/

Speaking to reporters last night, the Senate’s top obstructionist, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), said that he would attempt to slow down progress on health care reform by insisting that the 1,000-page-plus health care reform bill be read aloud on the Senate floor. “The American people are going to get to hear this bill read, period,” said Coburn, adding that “he would also block other legislative shortcuts” in an effort to delay the bill, such as requiring “the Senate to use up the entire 30-hour debate period called for after a filibuster has been broken.” According to Roll Call, “earlier this month, Republican leadership aides said Coburn was unlikely to make such a move without the blessing of GOP leaders.”




Coburn to force reading of health bill
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/68107-coburn-to-force-reading-of-health-bill
http://www.rollcall.com/news/40650-1.html

[drm604]

1. Do they think if they drag things out long enough the Democrats will just give up on reform?

Seriously, what is the point of this crap? It's like children throwing a tantrum. :crazy:

[gratuitous]

6. Daily Kos has a good post on this

While the Senate Rules say that bills can be read on the floor in their entirety, there is also a rule that says they can get away with just reading the titles of the sections. Right now, the Senate version has six sections, so the "reading of the bill" can be dispensed with in about 17 seconds.

However, if Coburn insists on reading every last word of the bill, the Democrats can, at any time, ask that the reading be dispensed with by unanimous consent. That means that Coburn or one of the other Republicans is going to have to be there at all times to object (and have his objection recognized by the presiding officer) to any unanimous consent motion. The Republicans don't like doing any heavy lifting, and listening to someone drone on and on reading the text of the bill would probably fit in that category.

Yeah, Coburn's throwing a tantrum. It will be every bit as effective as any overdramatic three-year-old throwing herself on the floor and kicking her jellies on the linoleum.

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Coburn can actually read? Huh. Coulda fooled me.

[mulsh]

3. Is there a way to require that he do all of the reading?

n/t

[Bitwit1234]

4. If the democrats had spine they could easily break this up.

If they let the republicans get away with this every single democrat in this country should write to their representative and ask them to resign.

[dflprincess]

5. If the Democrats had any spine

we'd be getting real reform, not the insurance company protection they're working on and calling reform.

[derby378]

7. +100

:applause:

[justabob]

8. hold him to it

I hate all the "we're gonna filibuster if you don't....". Go for it and see where it gets you. Somehow I do not believe it will have the effect they are going for, IMO.

[Coyote_Bandit]

9. Can't say

I have a problem with that.

This clusterfuck of a bill does not represent reform.

Some Dems need to be reminded in the hope that they might grow a bit of a spine. Others need to be retired and sent home.

[zbdent]

10. Can the Dems insist that Coburn be the one who has to read it?

and no potty breaks ...

[ChicagoSuz219]

11. He can borrow a diaper from Vitter... ;-) nt