Kyl Doubles Down: No GOP Support For Reform

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This week, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said "almost all Republicans" are likely to oppose health care reform, no matter how many concessions Democrats make, even if it's the result of a bipartisan compromise. Any chance Kyl might try to walk these remarks back? Apparently not. Reader V.S. alerted me to this interview yesterday, in which Kyl talked to Fox News' Neil Cavuto and doubled down. "For either the bill that passed the House Committee or the bill that passed the HELP committee in the Senate, I don't think a single Republican in the Senate would support either of those bills," Kyl said.

When the discussion turned to the possibility of splitting the bill in two -- one bill with popular consumer protections, another with more controversial elements -- Kyl added that Republicans will reject those bills, too. "That'll be no deal," he told Kyl.

It's worth noting that Kyl isn't just a member of the Republicans' Senate leadership, he's the Minority Whip. In other words, he's responsible for counting and rounding up votes for the party. If Kyl says there are no GOP votes for reform bills, it's likely there are no GOP votes for reform.

He went on to say that Democratic reform efforts are intended to "totally change the entire system of health care delivery and insurance in the country," which further helps demonstrate the fact that Kyl doesn't really understand what he's talking about.

Kyl didn't address specific concessions he'd like to see, but he did say that to get Republican support, Democrats would have to throw away the entire health care reform bill.

I'm not sure what more it'll take to prove Republican lawmakers aren't interested in passing reform legislation.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[zqt3344 21]

I wonder why Ovomit never comes on Fox News to speak or give interviews about his health care plan?

This week, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said "almost all Republicans" are likely to oppose health care reform, no matter how many concessions Democrats make, even if it's the result of a bipartisan compromise. Any chance Kyl might try to walk these remarks back? Apparently not. Reader V.S. alerted me to this interview yesterday, in which Kyl talked to Fox News' Neil Cavuto and doubled down. "For either the bill that passed the House Committee or the bill that passed the HELP committee in the Senate, I don't think a single Republican in the Senate would support either of those bills," Kyl said.

When the discussion turned to the possibility of splitting the bill in two -- one bill with popular consumer protections, another with more controversial elements -- Kyl added that Republicans will reject those bills, too. "That'll be no deal," he told Kyl.

It's worth noting that Kyl isn't just a member of the Republicans' Senate leadership, he's the Minority Whip. In other words, he's responsible for counting and rounding up votes for the party. If Kyl says there are no GOP votes for reform bills, it's likely there are no GOP votes for reform.

He went on to say that Democratic reform efforts are intended to "totally change the entire system of health care delivery and insurance in the country," which further helps demonstrate the fact that Kyl doesn't really understand what he's talking about.

Kyl didn't address specific concessions he'd like to see, but he did say that to get Republican support, Democrats would have to throw away the entire health care reform bill.

I'm not sure what more it'll take to prove Republican lawmakers aren't interested in passing reform legislation.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Otto 83]

It's worth noting that Kyl isn't just a member of the Republicans' Senate leadership, he's the Minority Whip. In other words, he's responsible for counting and rounding up votes for the party. If Kyl says there are no GOP votes for reform bills, it's likely there are no GOP votes for reform.

You have to ask yourself - 'if this were true, why (exactly) would he come out and announce/proclaim it?'

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Rather than focus on the party that has the votes, Steve would rather focus on the party that doesn't.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Rather than focus on the party that has the votes, Steve would rather focus on the party that doesn't.

Very true.

[zqt3344 21]

Democrats may have majority but not enough of one to push this through, nor one that is going to willfully go along and vote with HArry Reid or Nancy Pelosi!

Rather than focus on the party that has the votes, Steve would rather focus on the party that doesn't.

Very true.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Democrats may have majority but not enough of one to push this through, nor one that is going to willfully go along and vote with HArry Reid or Nancy Pelosi!

Rather than focus on the party that has the votes, Steve would rather focus on the party that doesn't.

Very true.

Check your numbers, Sarah. And let me know if you need help with the math.

[Danno 1,228]

Hey Stephen... Psssst: the reason there is no support for this "reform"

is because it's not reform,..... it's expansion.