HCAN: Health Care Swing States Want An Up-Or-Down Vote On Reform

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

Brian Beutler

Congressional procedure can be confusing even for politicos, but the reform campaign Health Care for America Now has boiled it down. The group has distributed polling data to its largest member organizations indicating that voters in key swing states believe health care shouldn't be stymied by procedural supermajority requirements in the Senate.

The polls were taken in Nebraska, Louisiana, and Arkansas, home of reform skeptics Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, and Blanche Lincoln, don't believe their senators should kill reform by voting with Republicans to block either a debate or a vote on the bill.

"In the Senate, before a bill can be voted on, there must be a vote to allow it to be debated," reads the first survey question. "Regardless of whether you support or oppose the health insurance reform plan itself, do you believe that it should be debated on the floor of the Senate?"

In all states, voters overwhelmingly said the Senate health care reform bill should be debated on the floor. Nebraska: 88-9, Louisiana: 82-9, Arkansas: 84-11.

"Once a bill has been debated in the Senate, Senators must then vote on whether to allow the bill itself to be voted on," HCAN asks. "Regardless of whether you support or oppose the health insurance reform plan, do you believe that Senators should allow it to be voted on."

The results are similarly striking. Nebraska: 80-14: Louisiana: 77-14, Arkansas: 77-14.

Yesterday, HCAN endorsed the Senate health care bill. "HCAN applauds Majority Leader Reid for introducing legislation that will provide more affordable health coverage to America's families and businesses, stop insurance company abuses, and provide the choice of a public health insurance option," said campaign director Richard Kirsch. You can read his full statement below.

HCAN applauds Majority Leader Reid for introducing legislation that will provide more affordable health coverage to America's families and businesses, stop insurance company abuses, and provide the choice of a public health insurance option. We urge the full Senate to get to work quickly on debating this legislation, considering reasonable amendments, and sending a bill to conference as soon as possible. Congress must do all it can to deliver to the President reforms that guarantee good, affordable coverage for our families and businesses and establish a healthy foundation for our economy. We know that Republicans will do everything they can to block this bill, starting by voting against allowing the Senate even to debate reform. Republicans have made it clear they will put partisan politics ahead of the public good and allow the health insurance industry to continue denying Americans the health care coverage they need while raising premiums and bankrupting America's families.

Throughout the Senate debate, HCAN will organize people nationwide to speak out and stand up against partisan stall tactics and the insurance industry and demand the Senate allow an up-or-down vote on legislation that will provide everyone with the peace of mind of knowing that they will have good, affordable health coverage no matter what.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11...orm.php?ref=fpb

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm with the Republicans on this. The Republicans of 2003 - 2006, that is. Those Republicans fell all over themselves to declare that the people expect the Senate to bring matters to an up-or-down vote.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Mr. Big Dog

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

I'm with the Republicans on this. The Republicans of 2001 - 2006, that is. Those Republicans fell all over themselves to declare that the people expect the Senate to bring matters to an up-or-down vote.

Where oh where are those principled Senators now?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm with the Republicans on this. The Republicans of 2001 - 2006, that is. Those Republicans fell all over themselves to declare that the people expect the Senate to bring matters to an up-or-down vote.

Where oh where are those principled Senators now?

The Republican Senators are acting, as their very own Orrin Hatch would have put it back in 2005, "unfair, dangerous, partisan, and unconstitutional". I wish he'd remember his earlier stance: "Let's make our case if we have disagreement, and then vote."