Washington (CNN) - The Senate launched debate Tuesday on a House-passed bill to make changes in the hours-old health care reform law, with Republicans promising to use every parliamentary tool available to undermine or defeat the measure.
The "fixes" bill was necessary to get reluctant House Democrats to approve the Senate's version of the health care reform bill. By approving the Senate version of the bill Sunday night, the House sent it to President Obama, who signed it into law Tuesday.
However, House Democrats agreed to support the health care bill only if the fixes measure accompanied it to make changes to the Senate version. Now, the Senate must approve the fixes bill so Obama also can sign it.
Democrats say they're concerned that Republicans may be able to change the delicately balanced package. Any changes would force the bill back to the House for another vote.
Republicans are expected to propose numerous amendments to the fixes bill in an effort to hold up progress and force Democrats to vote against provisions they might usually support.
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From CNN Politics
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Instead of wasting time in a fruitless effort to block a law that the Republicans would have voted for, if not for the fact that we have a biracial Democrat for President, they might better spend their time working on doing things that fix the economy and create jobs. The Republicans are wasting tax payer's money on political grandstanding instead of making things better for America.
Republiklans are digging the hole deeper for themselves. You had your chance to help with the bill, but you people said NO. So we'll be saying NO to YOU in November.
DEATH OF THE GOP 11/10
Are the Republicans doing this in good faith or just total obstruction?
Old man McCain: go home
More kicking and screaming from the Right. America loves winners not whiners. They will pay a huge price in November and so on. McCain has flip-flopped more than a catfish on hot concrete! I don't even recognize him anymore!
i watched McCain on TV. The man is obviously losing it mentally. Sad come down for some one who started out with such good intentions. Remember bushes slanderous crap about McCain and you will see just how far he has sold out to the right wing dingbats. Anybody who chose Sarah Palin (New contestant to dancing with the idiots) is not worth my time of day.
That's right, McCain, you've got your health care benefits all nicely wrapped up for you and your millinoaire family.How about the 30 million other folks?
Ever give any thought to them ? No, all you care about is your pathetic power and reelection.Hope Sarah Palin's endorsements and projected joint campaign appearances will benefit you ,???? That is, if she doesn't quit before hand. How much do you have to pay her?
"Republicans are expected to propose numerous amendments to the fixes bill in an effort to hold up progress and force Democrats to vote against provisions they might usually support."
Why would the RepubliCAN'Ts want to FIX something they were against in the first place??? Come on now, we're not stupid.
And what's with this "Repeal and Replace"???? If the RepubliCAN'Ts want to REPEAL something because they do not agree with it – why would they want to REPLACE it with something they want. Don't they know that a lot of what they want is already in the bill???
Why couldn’t the RepubliCAN'Ts just get on board from the beginning and then later gripe about amendments????? If they did it that way – I – and the majority of American people – would have MORE respect for them. Now – they get No Respect as they continue to LQQK like 'OBSTRUCTIONISTS" – Case and POINT!!!
This monstrocity of a bill, and Obama too, needs to be removed before it completes the destruction of our once great nation. Obama is sending the US the same way the Roman Empire went, and for the same reasons. His corrupt chicago thug politics.
Crying like stuck pigs, they are.
Keep wasting time on health care when they should be working on JOBS. Why would you vote for a Republican on the economy when they were the ones that caused it.
Whats the point, Face it ! The Community Organizer beat you once again! The bill is still law when you get done. Haters.So now your only tools are too set up some crony ammendments not for purpose but to make some dems look bad. Shameful.
If they do their job the GOP should be amending & subverting to the greatest extent. And if McCain wants to keep his approval among fellow Republicans he will set his teeth into to crippling this bill.
On the faces of the people of the Republican you can see hipocrasi and the racism that they are all about. All of that noise is because on the health bill the poor are the one that are coming on top. On the Eighteen hundreds the republican put on the constitution that the USA citizent ship was just for the white people and they haven't change a bit they still they same racist white guy that believes that opportunities is just for the white. Shame on you McCain and GOPERS.
Mr. McCain just retire because your old and your ideas are old. Just enjoy your retirement and let the young people do the job. You don't need medical insurance anymore. You're already on Medicare A&B.
John, let me ask you, did you make any "sweetheart deals" during your campaign? Just think how much better the world will be when you stop whining. Everyone knows your strong dislike for the President. Get over your defeat....You brought it on yourself, big guy.
Block, deny, delay. That's all the Republicans are good at. They should, instead, be providing alternatives. But, that would require them to actually pass laws that affect their REAL constituents, the corporate donors who got them elected.
McCain has lost his mental and ethical bearings in addition to the election. What a meanspirited ugly person. Even the wackos don't believe him anymore. Hope Arizona retires him. What a shame to end a good career in this manner.
Still just the party of NO.
You can truly tell when a man is truly "heroic and diplomatic" when he LOSES! Sad old buzzard! Since he will "not cooperate" as a Senator....why is my taxes paying his salary?
The party of "NO." No ideas. No concern for everyday citizens. No understanding of life in America below their pay grade. No honesty. No compassion. No compunction about what their actions will mean to generations of Americans. No clue.
Why didn't CNN give the specifics? GOPers are trying to add crazy things to the bill, i.e., "no viagra for rapists"! Please! This is wasting time and the Republicans look even more stupid and out of touch!
I wish McCain would shut up. He needs to get his butt on his front porch in his rocking chair and leave the heavy lifting to the next generation.
His fifteen minutes are up...
Who did the GOP choose to lead the fixes obstruction? Senator "illegal prostitution" Vitter, who epitomizes the hypocrisy of so-called "family values" working against health care for Americans.
And by opposing these amendment fixes, party-line Republicans fail to understand they are actually supporting the "Cornhusker Kickback" as consequence and should be held accountable.
Poor John – he really should consider retiring while he still has some dignity left.