November 7, 2009
Posted: November 7th, 2009 10:57 PM ET
Last Sunday, House Minority Leader John Boehner brought a copy of the nearly 2000-page House bill crafted by Democrats to his interview on CNN's State of the Union.
Last Sunday, House Minority Leader John Boehner brought a copy of the nearly 2000-page House bill crafted by Democrats to his interview on CNN's State of the Union.

Washington (CNN) - The House of Representatives on Saturday night passed an amendment to pending health care legislation that prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option and in the insurance "exchange" the bill would create.

The vote passed 240-194.

A second amendment considered by the House, introduced by Minority Leader John Boehner, which would have substituted several sections of the health care bill dealing with insurance, did not pass. Legislators voted against the amendment 258-176.

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Filed under: Health care • House • John Boehner


D. Tree   November 8th, 2009 1:48 am ET

Boehner tried to gut the bill as a favor to the insurance companies who give him so much money. And of course it failed, because Americans no longer trust the Republicans nor the Insurance companies.

At least Boehner can't claim they didn't have a chance. They had Congress for 15 years and did NOTHING!

Ryan   November 8th, 2009 1:43 am ET

John Boner needs to hop on the clue bus.... watching him navigate politics and talking points is like watching a legless cat chase it's tail on a wax floor.

Peter s   November 8th, 2009 1:27 am ET

Republicans are bunch of shameless people! you had 8 years mr.John Boehner, to come up with a single page double spaced healthcare bill but you didn't reason? 2 un necessary wars!!

Joshua College Station Texas   November 8th, 2009 1:23 am ET

Not to be a bonehead myself, but Boehner is an idiot. Everything that comes out of his mouth is wrong.

A Mad Independent   November 8th, 2009 1:21 am ET

Let's hear Boner explain this one. I guess he will claim his better idea was refused by the Democrats because they are not being bipartisan. Even if his amendment had passed he and his Republican Refuseniks would have voted against it.

I wonder if he read the bill before he voted against it.

Way to Boner. Crawl back under your rock!

Beverly in NC   November 8th, 2009 1:12 am ET

Republicans looked like the idiots they are tonight. I watched the whole debate and voting on C-SPAN. There really didn't need to be any debate.

Every single Republican said the exact same thing using the exact same wording. I guess since they have been completely absent for the healthcare process someone had to write them some negative statements that, as usual, were all lies. One Congressmen from Texas stopped the proceedings to ask for a copy of the healthcare bill! There they were getting ready to vote on it and he obviously had not even read it!

They tried every stall tactic possible and were rude and kept interrupting Democrats speaking on the actual points of the healthcare bill.

The Republicans wrote their healthcare bill starting last Tuesday night. Since they oppose everything and don't even show up for committee meetings -like the climate change bill writing – they suddenly realized the healthcare vote was this weekend. Since they had no solutions or ideas for healthcare reform all year, at the last minute they decided they needed something/anything to pretend like they have been involved.

Pretty pitiful for a group of people who are supposed to be in Washington working for their constituents. They have done nothing this year but whine, complain and offer nothing to help restore our nation on any issue- all they have done is whip their lunatic fringe into a hate-filled racist rage. Their last ridiculous rally was at the Capitol and it was full of racist signs that Republican Congressmen had AUTOGRAPHED....and they deny they are racists??

Their healthcare "bill" was so late the CBO had no chance to score it and the contents were laughable. It was written perfectly for the benefit of the insurance companies. I guess the Republicans did exactly what the insurance companies paid them to do.

Democrats listened to Americans and created a terrific reform bill with a public option that has a real chance to succeed, make the insurance companies compete for our business, and significantly cut costs. It immediately stops insurance companies from ever denying coverage for "pre-existing" conditions, has a cap on what you have to pay and there are no co-pays when you go see your doctor for a preventive care check-up. It's all about what is best for the PEOPLE.

Great Job Ms Pelosi ...and now onto the Senate!

Tonight we made history and tonight the Republicans were once again on the wrong side of it. They will be history come midterms 2010!

Otto   November 8th, 2009 1:12 am ET

Fear! What is fear? It is the fear driven by the GOP, that nothing the DEMS do is good enough for this country.

It is the fear the GOP drove back in 1968 when they did not want Medicare or Medicade for those less fortunate. It is the same fear that drives the tea party people to say "keep your hands off my insurance" Yes, the same insurance they did not vote for in '68. That same group who now wants to block healthcare for all; the same group who would rather spend trillions on unjust wars but not on Americans right here.

How can Americans be so ignorant as to listen to those who already have full tax payer coverage but wants to stop those who needs it. Can these people sleep at night? How can they call themselves Christians; yet, they would rather allow innocent people to die?

If this is the mentality of Christians, I'd rather be a sinner; at least I have a chance to be saved by the real Christ and by my own acknowlegement that I am a sinner in need of saving grace. I tell you, hell is waiting to consume these evil, lying devils and they sure will regret these days when they had a chance to do good for their fellow man. They and their church of devils will certainly not see the promise land!

Senior Lilarose in Oregon   November 8th, 2009 1:04 am ET

I don't understand......CNN, please research this and explain.....

How can abortions be legal in the entire United States and yet FEDERAL funding is not available to have an abortion?

WHY isn't this issue before the Supreme Court (or has it been)?

multnomah   November 8th, 2009 12:35 am ET

This Middle Class,working and not working American would like to thank all of those who voted for the Health Care Reform Bill, thank you very much for making our voices heard.

Heather

bob in LA   November 8th, 2009 12:31 am ET

Knowing it was going to a vote, he chose NOW to add ammendments? Looks like grandstanding to me- he never cared if they were included but wants to say he tried.
More politics!

Reaganomics Leads To Feudalism   November 8th, 2009 12:30 am ET

John Boehner claims that the "American people" don't want this bill to pass. And just WHAT is John Boehner's definition of the "American people?"

Republican...Right-Wing...and REDNECK!

So...what does that make the rest of us who aren't right-wing Republican rednecks? Illegal aliens?

james P.   November 8th, 2009 12:24 am ET

The single but most relevant failure of the bill approved by the House is that it refuses to modify the liability rules. Of course, the purely propagandistic intent of th GOP to limit damages to $ 250,000 is absurd, but also the argument that the DEMS want not to change it is a hypocresy, as reform does not mean elimination!

Factually, a rational solution of this issue would be that previously a
neutral committee (formed by doctors and non-doctors, but not by lawyers) must certify that there is a malpractice, and only then a court must assess a real reasonable DIRECT costs of the damage inflicted to the patient, if punitive cost are added, the latter could not excede $ 1 Mil

In case of wrongful dead, the damage to the family must also be capped.

Democrats must be aware that the GOP will exploit this their only valid argument to the hilt and that catering to the multi-millionnaires, electoral fund providing and ambulance chasing trial lawyers, by not addressing this issue will be seen as a form of corruption, which would allow Republican and Dem Blue Dogs justify a negative vote against any even otherwise reasonable bill

If so, bye -bye, Healthcare bill

Nea   November 8th, 2009 12:20 am ET

J. Boehner will always complain about what the President is or isnt doing because the truth is they want control of the White house again so he will do or say anything to oppose everything this President tries to put in place.

amwa   November 8th, 2009 12:14 am ET

Great day for Democrat s, sad day for Republicans who are in the pockets of the insurance companies. No more luxury golfing vacations paid for by the insurance companies. That has a good sound to it.

Reaganomics Leads To Feudalism   November 7th, 2009 11:59 pm ET

You tried your best Mr. Boehner...I just want you to know that all of your filthy rich insurance executive friends are mighty proud of you for trying to protect THEIR $$$$$$$$$...interests.

Party Purity will never bring Political Power!   November 7th, 2009 11:53 pm ET

Boehner's amendment was boned by the House, as it should be if the House Minority leader that does not know the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Great way to show that keen knowledge of the document you were elected to uphold. Perhaps you can get a 10th grade civics student to enlighten you as to which is which, before your next "conference" on health care.

Charlie Brown   November 7th, 2009 11:46 pm ET

It passed!!! Hooray!

Reaganomics Leads To Feudalism   November 7th, 2009 11:39 pm ET

What was John Boehner's amendment all about? Was it about protecting the "rights" of insurance executives to be paid an unlimited amount of money in their compensation packages?

tonyt   November 7th, 2009 11:36 pm ET

Oh There Ideas, But No Comprehensive Health Plan! Maybe He Should Read Those Stacks Of Papers He Likes Caring Around! Corporate and Criminal Lawers Do All The Time!

Meed   November 7th, 2009 11:27 pm ET

shame on all the republicans who always take side with the rich even if they are corrupted individuals or organizations, like the insurance industry....
shame on you all for closing your eyes to the majority of Americans who are at a disadvantage. don't forget who pays your salaries.

Mitchell from MS   November 7th, 2009 11:24 pm ET

The Dems have sealed their doom for the 2010 and 2012 elections.

charlie in Maine   November 7th, 2009 11:23 pm ET

A comment and 2 questions:

That was a close vote tonight but not as close as the one that but that idiot George W Bush in Power that was 5-4.

Okay "tea partiers" I have a question- actually 2 questions,
1st Question I get why the insurance companies are against this (after all if UPS or Fed Express could get rid of the Post Office and charge whatever the hell they want for sending packages I could understand them wanting to do so). I also get why the GOP leadership is against this bill as well (one need only lokk at how long they were out of power after being against Social Security) But why oh why are regular people against this?

2nd Question. If it really is about te money wher the hell were you guys when George W Bush decided we should spend 12 million dollars an hour on a war against a counrty that never attacked us? It has been a while but when W took office we were looking forward to surplusses as far as the eye could see. But that didn't seem to bother you did it?

A. Smith   November 7th, 2009 11:22 pm ET

When I see John Boehner on the tube, I see such a transparent phony politician, I can't help but wonder if that is the best image that the dieing Republican Party can have?

This amendment is a hollow victory for the Republican Party. Unwanted children still require precious resources and if they do not help support society later in life then they become a burden on society.

Denying women the open and public option of having an abortion shows America the Republican Party is still living in its medieval christian roots.

Women should rise up and abandon the Republican Party in mass protest.

A. Smith
Oregon

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:21 pm ET

Sorry, about the Rep luck they should have put there ideas when they had a chance.

Jerry in NC   November 7th, 2009 11:18 pm ET

As always, the lawmakers who were voted into office by majority votes in their repective elections, are playing "chess games" with ALL of the citizens lives! This is appaling! This is the reason our country is the laughing stock of the rest of the world. The catholic bishops are NOT a majority voice, so why were they pacified by a bill that affects the lives of ALL americans?????

Jayden,FL   November 7th, 2009 11:12 pm ET

Hahaha good!

Angela in Denver   November 7th, 2009 11:08 pm ET

CNN you are putting too much energy into the Republican nonsense. A republican farts and you will print it as a major story. We have FOX already. Thanks but no thanks!

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