House Rules Committee meeting gets spirited
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/20/art.hastings.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Florida, said during a particularly spirited portion of the meeting that opponents of health care don't know what Americans think."]Washington (CNN) - The House Rules Committee began meeting Saturday to determine the official rules for the debate and vote on the health care overhaul, a day ahead of an expected House vote.
The committee is expected to determine whether the House will vote Sunday on a rule that would simply "deem" the Senate bill - a sweeping $875 billion reform plan that cleared the Senate in December - passed. The House then would proceed to a separate vote on another $65 billion in compromise changes to the measure.
"You all in the minority continue to say what the American people think," Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Florida, said during a particularly spirited portion of the meeting.
"You don't know what all of the American people think. And you certainly don't know what those in my constituency think."
If the Senate bill passes the House, Obama will sign it into law. If the package of changes is passed, it will be taken up by the Senate.
Freshmen House Republicans railed Saturday against the bill and the possible legislative mechanism Democrats may use to pass it.
"We're trying to vote on a bill without voting on a bill," Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri said.
"While this might not be the first time 'deem and pass' has ever been is used in the House, I believe it is the first time that it's being used as an attempt to deceive the American people," said Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas.
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I'm sure Alcee is right. His constituency no doubt is full of minorities and illegals, all of whom would love more government handouts. The 53% of us who actually pay taxes don't want this bill.
I am your constituency and I think that you are a lousy legislator who has had drug abuse issues and does nothing for 85% of the people that you serve.
I am sick and tired of the Repugliban saying they are speaking for me and those I know because what they are saying is not what I want. I think too many people listen to them and jump on the band wagon because it must be what the majority want because the Repugliban say it is and it is NOT even close to what the majority want. The majority want a public option single payer insurance reform, so where are the Repugliban on this and why are they not saying this is what the majority of the public wants? Because it is not what the Insurance companies want and thus not what the Repugliban want because the Repugliban are depnding upon the Insurance companies to fill thier campaign coffers for the upcoming election, THAT IS WHY!
I am sorry sir but yes...yes republicans know what the country thinks...they know exactly what going on...they know people's minds...just listen to the Laura Ingram show...listen to Mark Levin...List to Rush and Hannity and you will see that AALLL of America is apposed to this...listen to their bright and intellegent callers...these are not your "elite people" calling, these are your regular back wood, immigrant-hatin, tea party going, two tooth folk...that represent AAALLL of America! Republicans have never, ever, ever, ever, ever decieved Americans.
Point out the only "poll" that counts took place in November '08 and President Obama won 53% to 46% a healthy majority and without any Supreme Court anointing him, like happened to King George the II in 2000.
And since he campaigned on making health care reform his number 1 priority and since the Purity Party of NO has stated since day one the republikKKan's party number 1 priority was for President Obama to "fail" and therefore the country.
So, just let all the racist hatred flow, as I know all you cons are just frothing at the mouth at a black man not just occupying "your" White House in "your" country, sit back, you will 7 more years to fume and stew!
Welcome to what "our" world was like for the last 8 years.
Representative Alcee Hastings uses common sense about this issue.
Of course we know that the GOP naysayers continue to act like they know what the american people think and want, but I'd wager that the 45 million hard working americans who can't get Health Insurance haven't been asked what they think. Those little pockets of the so called real America that Palin spoke to and about don't want this country to move forward out of the 19th century and they certainly didn't win in Nov 08, so what they say about what the rest of America wants doesn't hold water.
This is so messed up, if the people support the bill, why not have a vote on it. I have a right to know how my congressman stands on health care. Americans have a right to know how every congressperson stands on every issue up for vote, otherwise, how can we decide who to vote for at election time. Regardless of whether its a good bill or not, the democratic process shouldn't be ignored.
Point out the only "poll" that counts took place in November '08 and President Obama won 53% to 46% a healthy majority and without any Supreme Court anointing him, as King George the II was in 2000.
And since he campaigned on making health care reform his number 1 priority and since the Purity Party of NO has stated since day one the republikKKan's party number 1 priority was for President Obama to "fail" and therefore the country, President Obama is merely fulfilling a campaign promise he made to the 53% that voted for him.
So, stuff your "polls" YOU LOST!!! (he he he)
So, just let all the racist hatred flow, as I know all you cons are just frothing at the mouth that a black man is not just occupying "your" White House in "your" country, but is also making historical progress in the process, so, sit back, you will have 7 more years to fume and stew!
Welcome to what "our" world was like for the last 8 years.
And the "deem" and pass is quite legal and has been perfected by Reds using it many times before, it just gets two bills passed with one vote. Nothing illegal about that.
And since the rules vote will be a voice vote here is a clue, if they vote Yes for the rules, they voted yes for HCR, if they vote No on the rules they vote No for HCR and the Senate version of the bill that passed in December with 60 votes will also pass at the same time.
Think you cons can keep up?
The American people have been deceived by Congress for decades, if not, centuries. What we see and hear now-a-days is way more than we've ever seen.
Our congressmen have been brought down to human status... and that's why so many of them, both Democrat and Republican, will be voted out come the next election cycle.
This is just another ploy to override the wishes of the majority of American citizens! If these demoncrats are so proud of their vote let them stand up and vote out loud stating their name and district!
The problem is that the congresswoman herself most likely do not know what people in her district think! Florida retired people community is definitely against reducing medicare, but no one listen to them, the president and the speaker are much more important people to listen to than listen to simple voters, what a low for democrats.
Dems please get your head out of your @$@%! and get this bill pass
Exactly, get it passed
The Dems are committing Political suicide if they pass this bill!!!
If they get away with this attrocity, their Party as we no it will be burried under the rock it's members were spawned from. This is despicable and a Socialistically-driven attempt to take control of America!
May God watch over our Nation during Comrade Obozo's reign!
Rep hastings, you do not know what the people are thinking. Just like your boss Pelosi the Democratic Party is bypassing all rules and becoming a dictatorship just for Obamas ego. Look at the polls. Thepoeople are disgusted with your ack dooor closed sessions dealings. None of you will bewleft when November comes. The only politician in this country lately that is doing the right thing is the rep in Calif who came out of the closet and admitted that he was gay. When questioned as to why he had consistently voed against measure, including 'marriage', he stated that he his votes reflected the desires of the people who voted him in. Now if that is not integrity and remebering who voted for you, then I don't know what is. All of you, Dem and Rep should take his integrity and install it in Washington.
Rep Hastings is right. Not since Nixon wrapped himself in the flag and said, "I am not a crook", has the American People been lied to more blatantly. Within a few weeks and months, all those teachers, state and local government employees and former banking staff who are being laid-off will have no insurance provided. Hope they remember who it was that cared for them and not the Corporation Republican.
I totally agree! The remarks that have continued to "fuel the fire" about healthcare reform, with many of the Republicans speaking the words "The American people don't want this" are simply false and untrue. No person can speak for another, no matter what the discussion may be! Many of us in America are true examples of the health insurance industry taking us to the cleaners, as well as being refused coverage because of pre-existing conditions. And many of us also have had our health "compromised further", rather than receiving proper treatment because we had NO health insurance and/or NO money to pay for treatment! So it will be a great relief for those of us who truly believe in healthcare reform to know we will have OPTIONS to rely upon to meet our medical needs promptly and with the treatment we deserve.
Can WE THE PEOPLE 'deem' that all of our congress is fired?
drug head...
They obviously don't think at all in that they elected a convict...repeatedly!
Alcee, what the American people think is that you and your buddies are lying criminals - especially a former federal judge like yourself who was impeached for corruption (look it up, people, Hastings is a crook) and only remains in the congress because of your safe, gerreymandered district.
Yeh, deceive the people like Bush did with his non-existent weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to start the Iraq war! How soon Republicans forget, not like their elephant mascot.
Yeh, deceive the people like Bush did with his non-existent weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to start the Iraq war! How soon Republicans forget, not like their elephant mascot.
You will all obey.