House Democrats Short on Health Care Votes, Clyburn Says

Fox News ^ | 3/15/2010

[Lazamataz]

House Democratic leaders still do not have enough votes to pass health care reform, the chamber's top vote counter said, even though the administration is aiming to have the bill passed this week.

The reality check came from Rep. James Clyburn, the House Democratic whip.

"No, we don't have them as of this morning, but we've been working this thing all weekend," Clyburn, D-S.C., said.

But despite the challenge of corralling wavering Democrats, Clyburn joined with other Democratic officials in saying he was confident the measure would pass, echoing comments from Speaker Nancy Pelosi Saturday.

Democratic leaders want the House to pass the Senate-approved version of the bill, before moving on to a package of changes. That package, which is already under consideration, would be taken up in the Senate as a "reconciliation" bill, meaning the Senate would be able to approve it with just 51 votes -- Democrats turned to the legislative tactic after Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts Senate election in January, breaking the party's 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.

[chilltherats]

You forget that they will have the enforcement powers to force it on us through employers, doctors, insurers, a slate of bureaucracies that seemingly have nothing to do with health care, and the IRS. They’ll take the money right out of your bank account or administratively garnish your wages. If this passes, you will comply even if it’s through enforcement. Further, if you or your loved one get seriously ill, you will have to submit yourselves to the system in order to get treatment. Don’t rely on the SCOTUS to put a stop to this. We were sure they’d dump McCain-Feingold, but they didn’t. Then there was the Kelo case. Antonin Scalia is in his 70s and Kennedy is no spring chicken, either. God forbid, but any of the “good” justices could drop tomorrow, and Kennedy isn’t reliable anyway. They’d be replaced by a hard-core lefty, worse than any others on there.

So, please, spare us. If this passes, the only way to undo it is repeal it quickly or anarchy.

[Principled]

If they don’t have the votes for health care, how can they get the Slaughter Rule passed?

The theory is more dems are willing to vote for slaughter b/c they won't be on record supporting the health bill.

[Principled]

I don’t know how it could happen - that’s what I’m asking about. Maybe someone will chime in w/ knowledge...

[Logic n' Reason]

They may have just picked up another "yes" vote. Guy's name is Scott Murphy (D-NY). He has just said he's leaning "yes".

His contact info:
120 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5614
Fax: (202) 225-1168

Time to call Mr. Brown's office, yes???

[thethirddegree]

If that’s the case, I remember Wyatt Earp’s solution— “kill’em all”(in the electoral context of course).

[tioga]

There is something seriously wrong when I can get right through to my congressman’s office. We need to FLOOD the phone lines. I just called to complain and express my disapproval of his plan to vote FOR the health care bill. The guy who answered was polite, and appeared speechless that I did NOT want it.

Start calling NOW.

[kevinm13]

Of course they are shy of the required number of 216 votes. Otherwise, they would have shoved this through when they reached the majority +1.

If this goes through, particularly if there are more taxpayer dollars being used to pay off Reps (as in the Louisiana and Nebraska kickbacks), it will be like nuclear winter for Dems in November. They will ALL be toxic. No major piece of legislation has ever passed without having some sort of support from the other side. The only way they can get it through is with trickery, lies and deceit.

[henkster]

“Party first, principles second.”

Party first means there are no principles, second or otherwise.

[henkster]

“A vote for the Slaughter rule is a vote for healthcare as far as I’m concerned.”

My concern is that a Federal Judge, ruling on the Constitutionality of the “bill,” would write the exact same thing in his opinion upholding it.

[Fishtalk]

but would we overturn it?

This thought occurs because we have an opposition party that we distrust.

Yes, the pubs are doing a fine job now but softly, ever so softly, I suggest that such strength against an impending law that 3/4 of the country opposes is hardly a bastion of courage.

It's why we are so worried. I don't buy for one millisecond that this bill could be overturned. I know about the 2/3 required to overturn a veto and all that but let the Dems do this and this country's citizenry will be riled enough to elect those who campaign on repeal.

Except the pubs don't even attempt this sort of thing. It might make those across the aisle mad at them; it might muss carefully coiffed head hairs; it might cause invites to cocktail parties to cease. Most horrible of all, they might have to leave the tanning booths to deal with it.

I hope I'm wrong but I feel no comfort that the pubs will scale back any huge liberal act. They never have before so why believe it now?

[riri]

This is 0bama’s Chavez move and must be met with extreme opposition - like asking the military to take him and/or pelosi/ried into custody.

I don't know that I would ever ask for another thing again from the heavens if that were to happen.

[Ell]

I just called Scott Murphy’s number, they answered on the second ring!!! Where is everyone?! CALL CALL CALL

[bigredkitty1]

What is the current count in the House? Just a ballpark guesstimate.

[Hostage]

Fax them. Phone calls are helpful but faxes have more impact. Email is Ok, but not as visible.

In order of impact:
1. Personal appearance
2. Fax
3. Phone call
4. Email

Also when you fax, make sure you fax the Washington DC office as well as the local offices.

[Gene Eric]

>> Don’t believe anything from a Dim.... either way...

Exactly. They’re trying to wreck the Country.

[CitizenM]

We all know the strategy. No one should believe him, or give up calling.

[Petrosius]

Forget the military. There are two civilian options. 1) Let just one empaneled Federal grand jury remember that they can investigate crime and indict independently of the direction of the Federal prosecutor. Thus they can indict the President and those members of Congress who support the Slaughter rule for treason. 2) Let the individual states declare that any law passed by Congress without a vote in both Houses is Constitutionally deficient and thus null and void. Then indict and prosecute any Federal agents who attempt to enforce such a non-law.

[Man50D]

You forget that they will have the enforcement powers to force it on us through employers, doctors, insurers, a slate of bureaucracies that seemingly have nothing to do with health care, and the IRS.

You forget the people have enforcement powers over Congress.

Don’t rely on the SCOTUS to put a stop to this.

I rely on the people to exert their power over the three branches of government.

[mwl8787]

Breaking at The Hill

They have assigned Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA) in the NO column due to abortion provisions of Senate bill

Huge blow to RAT Leadership

The Hill is counting 36 Firm, Likely and Leaning NO votes

178 GOP + 36 RATS = 214 NO VOTES

2 more to go to KILL the BILL (plus cushion for corruption and dealing)

Keep the pressure on. Remember, the local district offices sometimes don’t tell a member what is happening in the district. If you can get to DC office via phone, that is always best.

[Raycpa]

Sounds like the all are required to say “confident the bill will pass” as a mantra.