From Politico: Alaska’s senior senator blocked legislation Thursday that would have dramatically increased liability caps on oil companies, in the wake of one of the industry’s biggest disasters. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) objected to a voice vote request by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) on the bill, which would have spiked the maximum liability for oil […]
This unprecedented: In July, 1798, Congress passed, and President John Adams signed into law “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen,” authorizing the creation of a marine hospital service, and mandating privately employed sailors to purchase healthcare insurance. This legislation also created America’s first payroll tax, as a ship’s owner was required […]
The reconciliation bill will be heading back to the House for another vote: Senate Republicans succeeded early Thursday morning in finding two flaws in the House-passed health care reconciliation package. Neither is of any substance, but the Senate parliamentarian informed Democratic leaders that both are in violation of the Byrd Rule. One is related to […]
I’ve been reading more on that Gallup poll from yesterday that shows more Americans now supporting health care reform than opposing it. For a refresher, here’s the results: What’s interesting is the headline accompanying this poll: By Slim Margin, Americans Support Healthcare Bill’s Passage I don’t really remember pollsters considering a 9% margin “slim”. Perhaps […]
The Republicans are going on the warpath today with the “give to us and help us win this year so we can repeal health care”. How? How can they come up with enough votes to repeal health care. This wouldn’t be a simple “oh we got a majority and we repeal it”. It would take […]
Bart’s bloc keeps dwindling down. Here’s the latest defect: In a big step forward for House Dems, Rep Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, one of around a half dozen Stupak holdouts, just confirmed that she’s voting Yes on the Senate bill. Kaptur made the announcement on WTVG-TV, the ABC affiliate in Toledo, at around 9:50 AM. […]
Senate Democrats would do well to listen to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell: “My message to those Democrats is don’t be afraid,” Rendell told ABC News. “Listen, you got elected because you wanted to do something to change the quality of people’s lives — here we have a chance to do something historic and if it […]
The Democratic Party has become an utter train wreck since Tuesday night. Now we have this from Diane Feinstein: Feinstein said it is clear that attempts to pass sweeping legislation to address climate change by capping carbon emissions cannot pass this Congress. So if Democrats are just going to cave in on any important legislation […]
TPM has obtained a list of new talking points being about the Scott Brown victory being circulated by Democrats: It is mathematically impossible for Democrats to pass legislation on our own. Senate Republicans to come to the table with ideas for improving our nation and not obstructionist tactics. When did Republicans ever say “well we […]
Something I have been meaning to do is figure up the cost impact of health care for people with diabetics. Most insurance policies don’t cover diabetic testing supplies. That gives diabetics an extra $100-$120 expense every month. I want to take a minute and figure up what premiums plus average out of pocket expenses would […]