The Washington Monthly

March 21, 2010

MOVING RIGHT ALONG.... As you may have heard, the House passed the rule on health care reform.

House Democrats have approved the rule for debate on the healthcare bill, moving them one step closer toward a final vote on the legislation.
The rule was passed 224-206, with 28 Democrats voting against the measure. All Republicans cast "no" votes. A procedural vote on the rules passed by a similar count, 228-202.

The tally is a key test vote for Democrats, who hours earlier were able to bring aboard Rep. Bart Stupak's (D-Mich.) anti-abortion rights voting bloc by striking a compromise with the White House.

Under House procedure, lawmakers must approve the rules for debate before taking up actual legislation.

The vote allows formal debate to begin on the healthcare bill.

Here's the roll call; note that 28 Dems voted with Republicans in opposition. It's the first of the three key votes.

The next vote will apparently be on the Senate reform bill, followed by a vote on the reconciliation package.

For those still keeping track, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) looks like a "no," Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) is a "yes," Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) is inexplicably still a "no," and Marion Berry (D-Ark.) is a "no." Berry is perhaps the only surprise -- he voted "no" in November, but he's retiring. He cited abortion as his motivation, putting him even further to the right than Stupak on the issue.

As for an end-game, rumor has it that we can expect a final vote around 11:30 p.m. (ET).

—Steve Benen 7:30 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (14)

Comments

Champagne flute or champagne coupe?

Posted by: koreyel on March 21, 2010 at 7:46 PM | PERMALINK

Steve, thanks so much for your updates. You have no idea how much your blog has meant to me throughout the healthcare reform debate. There are blogs that I am avoiding because of the negativity and the screaming, hyperventilating headlines.

You have been a rock. No hysteria. Just good information and insight. I am anxiously awaiting the final votes tonight. This is so exciting. I am so proud of President Obama and the Democrats.

I feel like this is the campaign season all over again. My stomach is in knots. To keep my spirits up, I am listening to one of my favorite videos from 2008 (MC Yogi "Vote For Hope").

http://vimeo.com/1891426

Posted by: Ladyhawke on March 21, 2010 at 7:48 PM | PERMALINK

I look forward to Steve keeping us abreast of the primary challengers to Lynch, Arcuri, Skelton, et alia.

This being a 'historic" vote and all, we better get started on removing the bad apples from the cart. maybe start with herseth sandler?

Posted by: some guy on March 21, 2010 at 8:01 PM | PERMALINK

I'm not so sure why everyone is so confused by Stephen Lynch's "no" vote. He represents South Boston. Have you ever met those people? Yikes.

Posted by: Woody Bombay on March 21, 2010 at 8:03 PM | PERMALINK

Just to echo Ladyhawke's sentiments. This has been a truly excruciating battle to watch - as a UK citizen, watching is all I could really do - but this blog has made this process, if not exactly easier, then certainly easier to follow. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: SpaceSquid on March 21, 2010 at 8:03 PM | PERMALINK

South Boston was the poorest white neighborhood in America for many decades .

Posted by: FRP on March 21, 2010 at 8:08 PM | PERMALINK

South Boston has one of the best Polish deli's and a pretty interesting Polish restaurant .

Posted by: FRP on March 21, 2010 at 8:17 PM | PERMALINK

Boucher I can forgive and his vote is not necessary. Berry's a bit of a headscratcher, given as he's not running again and his fellow retirees Baird and Gordon are voting "yes." And Lynch, I guess, is intent on committing political suicide.

Posted by: gf120581 on March 21, 2010 at 8:28 PM | PERMALINK

I'm most curious about relative neighbor Glenn Nye here in VA. I've seen ads saying, call him and thank him for voting "no" [the last time.] What's up with those left-handed "thank them" ads, anyway? I guess to pressure them not to change, but it does come across strangly.

Posted by: neil b. on March 21, 2010 at 8:32 PM | PERMALINK

South Boston has one of the best Polish deli's and a pretty interesting Polish restaurant .
Posted by: FRP on March 21, 2010 at 8:17 PM

And have you noticed just how many Polish names there are among the Repubs and some of the Demidiots? Lipinski, Kanjorski, Stupak... I love our food but it seems to sit heavy not just on the stomach but on the brain as well.

Posted by: exlibra on March 21, 2010 at 8:59 PM | PERMALINK

what Ladyhawke @ 19:48 said. Kudos!

Posted by: Kevin on March 21, 2010 at 9:33 PM | PERMALINK

As excruciating as this process has been, I wonder if we might look back and see it as the education of Barack Obama. As reluctant as he was to call out the GOPers and to get involved in the fray -- look what happened when he did those things.

He's a smart guy and this experience isn't going to be lost on him. We may see a different president from this point forward.

Posted by: beep52 on March 21, 2010 at 9:36 PM | PERMALINK

"As reluctant as he was to call out the GOPers and to get involved in the fray -- look what happened when he did those things. "

Called out the right? Are you high? He's never called out the right with even 1% of the venom his administration hurled at the left.

Posted by: Tlaloc on March 21, 2010 at 9:57 PM | PERMALINK

"Are you high?"

No, although that could have been worded better. Obama almost never plays his opponents game, so no, he didn't counter the Repubs with punches. What he did was show up a their conference in Baltimore and clean their clocks. He invited them to the Blair house and did it again. And throughout the appearances he made since, he did a pretty good job of clarifying the distinctions between his positions and theirs.

Posted by: beep52 on March 22, 2010 at 1:03 AM | PERMALINK