Schumer: Dems ready to go-it-alone on health care. "We're not going to not pass a bill."

[jefferson_dem]

Schumer: Dems ready to go-it-alone on health care

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A leading Senate Democrat said Monday his party is determined to push through a health care overhaul bill with or without Republican support because the "system is broken."

"We prefer to go at it with Republicans if we can reach compromises in some areas," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. "But we're not going to not pass a bill."

Schumer dueled with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on a network morning news show in the wake of a key Senate vote Saturday night that advanced a 10-year, $959 billion health bill to full debate. Hutchison argued that "you're going to put taxes and mandates on business" that would be a drag on an economy still struggling to recover from recession.

Congressional Democrats are trying to resolve differences within their rank and file over abortion, taxes and letting the government sell health insurance as a competitor with private insurers. Those are all crucial policy questions, and House and Senate Democrats have taken conflicting approaches.

Appearing on NBC's "Today" show Monday, Schumer said, "We all know we have to give a little. ... If we don't do anything, that is the worst situation, and we have a good bill." He said lawmakers must come together because "the health care system is broken."

Schumer argued that Republican critics "haven't put any alternative on the floor."

<SNIP>

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_CARE_OVERHAUL?SITE=PASCR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[WI_DEM]

1. Fine, now explain how the "Dems" will pass it with the likes of Lieberman & Lincoln

and maybe 2-3 others who will fight the will or the majority.

[Bitwit1234]

2. They are only going to need 51 in the long run

once they get it to the floor. And go tell the republicans to stuff it. They didn't approve social security, medicare and lot of other bills that were for the American people. If this bill were for a corporation the republicans would mess them selves to pass it. AND if the media was really a media they would let the public know just what is going on.

It frustrates me to no end the way they hype up the republican opposition like it is overwhelming. How they support the tea bags like they are the majority of the public and how they treat Palin like she is a goddess and a real somebody. It is a shame that they got control of the media. But the democrats just stood by and let the do it.

[tblue]

4. But there will be a fullibuster. They had 51 a long time ago.

Why do you say they only need 51?

[PBS Poll-435]

7. If it comes to it, Reid will use the Budget Reconcilation procedure

They are not going to not pass a bill.

[tblue]

3. So our party leaders are where we were at 5 months ago.

If they had taken this stand in the first place, we'd probably have a much stronger bill now. Okee-dokee.

[Clio the Leo]

5. Because apparently half of us missed this....

.... KICK!

[Cha]

6. Rec'd and a Kick~