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Tuesday, September 08, 2009

House Democrats Return To Work Still Divided


Same set of problems greets lawmakers as they come back to Washington

WASHINGTON - After a nearly 40-day recess that was anything but restful, House Democrats are returning to work Tuesday still unsettled over pending health-care legislation and sure only that the people have had their say.

They are in almost the exact position they were in when they left the Capitol in late July. Conservatives are still leery of supporting a government-funded, or public, insurance option. Freshman lawmakers from suburban districts remain fearful of increasing taxes for their wealthy constituents to pay for the new measure and await alternatives from moderate Senate Democrats. And progressives, who are demanding the most far-reaching reform since the Great Depression, are still threatening to bring down the legislation if it does not contain a robust version of the public option.

In the lead-up to President Obama's critical Wednesday night address to a joint session of Congress, interviews with a cross section of about 15 House Democrats and half a dozen aides show that there is still overwhelming support for some overhaul of the health-care system. But the caucus remains deeply divided over the details of the more than 1,000-page measure and now faces a public that is more skeptical than when House committees began drafting the plan two months ago.

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3 comments:

Orsonwells said...

We all wrote them last month, now they need to be reminded. Frank Kratovil, Barbara Mikulski, and Ben Cardin. Copy this of you like, and past it to their message panel on their "contact me" page of their respective websites.
Please understand that removing the "public option" or anything else from HB 3400 still leaves it unacceptable.

It's like rearranging the trash bags in your garbage can. Even if you take one or two out, you are left with a can of garbage.

The whole thing is trash, and needs to be sacked.

Anonymous said...

All you so called people of the house and congress keep in mind of your votes in this matter. The election yr 2010 will bring big changes,

Anonymous said...

Whats going on with Jims budget and cuts?