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   Memo: The way forward on health care reform in 2010.
 A dark legacy of the Vietnam War is creating a whole new set of problems.
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April 3, 2009
CONGRESS ADVANCES FEDERAL BUDGET.... It's not identical to the budget President Obama sent to Congress, but it's close.
To that extend, the real work -- on health care and cap-and-trade proposals, reconciliation, taxes -- will get underway after the two-week congressional recess. That said, Democrats have to be pleased with the major step forward the chambers took yesterday. The White House issued a statement last night hailing the budget(s) as having embraced "our most fundamental priorities: an energy plan that will end our dependence on foreign oil and spur a new clean energy economy; an education system that will ensure our children will be able to compete in the economy of the 21st century; and health care reform that finally confronts the back-breaking costs plaguing families, businesses and government alike." A few highlights of note: * The ridiculous House GOP alternative budget was brought up for a vote. Every Democrat voted against it, but among Republicans, it was 137 to 38. In other words, the proposal unveiled by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was so extreme, about one-fifth of the House GOP caucus voted against their own budget. * John McCain's equally foolish budget alternative was also defeated. Every Democrat voted against it, but among Senate Republicans, it was 38 to 3. In other words, in the midst of an economic crisis, 93% of the Senate GOP caucus voted for an insane five-year spending freeze. Seriously. * Arlen Specter voted for the stimulus package in February, and then voted for a five-year spending freeze last night. What a joke. * The Democratic budget passed the Senate with 55 votes, but no Republicans. Two Democrats -- Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Evan Bayh of Indiana -- sided with the GOP. (Yes, Bayh is the new Lieberman.) * The 233 votes in support of the budget in the House is the biggest majority for a budget in 12 years. —Steve Benen 8:00 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (12)Comments
Wonder whether McCain realizes what a horrible legacy he is carving for himself? The GOP seems intent on handing ammunition to the opposition - good. Posted by: SteinL on April 3, 2009 at 8:28 AM | PERMALINKArlen Specter voted for the stimulus package in February, and then voted for a five-year spending freeze last night. What a joke. He really, really is. He's not even trying to fake a little dignity these days. Posted by: shortstop on April 3, 2009 at 8:37 AM | PERMALINKwe used to call him Arlen Pro Choice. He is pro choice ya know, ... except when his vote counts... Posted by: molly bloom on April 3, 2009 at 9:11 AM | PERMALINKBayh becoming the new Lieberman? Where has Bayh shown the inconsistency? Where has he flip flopped? Bayh has always been more of a throwback to the olden days of a moderate Republican. Strong on conservative fiscal policies, strong on defense, strong on civil rights (100% rating from the NAACP)- Progressives may not like him, but, he appears to have more foundation than gutless Lieberman. Why anyone ever considered him for VP is beyond me, but, Bayh's only connection with Lieberman is his support for AIPAC. A solid Democratic Senator, he is not, but, why be surprised? Posted by: berttheclock on April 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM | PERMALINKIn other words, the proposal unveiled by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was so extreme, about one-fifth of the House GOP caucus voted against their own budget. Possibly or maybe 1/5 of the House GOP caucus thought Ryan's budget wasn't extreme enough. Posted by: Ron E. on April 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM | PERMALINKArlen Specter voted for the stimulus package in February, and then voted for a five-year spending freeze last night. What a joke. Snarlin' Arlen's new nickname is "Dead Man Walking." Tommey's going to defeat him next year and the Democrats are going to smash Toomey. Senator Dead Man has 18 months to turn what's left of his reputation into a bad joke, with his completely narcissistic opportunism exposed for all to see. It's too bad in the current crisis situation that we have to wait 22 months to finally have the resources to deal with things effectively, but we've survived worse, and the prospect of thorough defeat of the thugs can keep me going. They're doing a great job of demonstrating in public what morons they are. How sad only two blue dogs had the courage to vote against this grossly irresponsible budget that will triple the national debt in 10 yrs. How ironic that Bush's (admittedly) profligate spending what greeted with Chicken Little cries of doom from the Left, but now that Obama plans to triple Bush's debt, it's...A-OK. No problem at all. Just goes to show that the whining isn't about issues, it's all about which side holds the power. Posted by: John on April 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM | PERMALINK(Yes, Bayh is the new Lieberman.) Perhaps a better analogy is: Lieberman : Foreign Policy :: Bayh : Domestic Policy Just goes to show that the whining isn't about issues, it's all about which side holds the power. Posted by: John on April 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM Or maybe it's about circumstances. The circumstances under which Bush reversed our surplus into a deficit are very different than the ones we are now facing. Posted by: TG Chicago on April 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM | PERMALINKMost of the speculation about the budget has been baloney largely manufactured by the media to give them something to talk about. This budget was always only ever going to pass with Democratic votes. It's substantially the budget Obama asked for but clearly there's going to be some wheeling and dealing on cap and trade. This is a no brainer for passage and it's going to happen in the next 90 days before they move onto the next signature issue of healthcare reform which will also have to be passed on reconciliation although I suppose it's possible a few Republicans who don't want to stand in the way of history (and appear in campaign attack ads) might be persuaded to go along. Posted by: John on April 3, 2009 at 3:42 PM | PERMALINK
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