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Senior Citizen Politics
Senate Republicans Fail in Attempt to Repeal
National Health
Care Law
Today's amendments are the first in the Senate
dealing with health care reform, but they likely won't be the last
Feb. 2, 2011 - Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to an unrelated bill today
that would repealed the health care law. Senate Republicans, however,
failed to muster enough votes to repeal the law. But, a vote to delete a
small, revenue-raising provision of the sweeping law did pass, in a
bipartisan vote.
After Sen. McConnell made his move, senators from
both sides took to the floor, with Republicans including McConnell,
Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and freshman Rand Paul, R-Ky. - arguing that the
country wants repeal.
Democrats including Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and
Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., vociferously objected, maintaining that the
benefits of the law are popular and outweigh any flaws in the
legislation.
Reports from around the media:
The Hill: "The Senate on Wednesday voted down a repeal of President
Obamas healthcare law in a 47-51 party-line vote. ... Republicans have
vowed to carry the fight forward, saying they will seek to de-fund the
law as it is implemented. The GOP also has promised Wednesdays repeal
vote will not be the last in this Congress" (Pecquet, 2/2).
The Associated Press: "Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said
the vote marked an opportunity for Democrats who voted for the bill last
year 'to listen to those who have desperately been trying to get your
attention. To say, yes, maybe my vote for this bill was a mistake, and
that we can do better,' McConnell said. ... Majority Leader Harry Reid,
D-Nev., said the Republican repeal movement would 'take away a child's
right to get health insurance and instead give insurance companies the
right to use asthma or diabetes as an excuse to take away that care'" (Espo,
2/2).
Reuters: The Senate voted on the measure "just two days after a
federal judge struck down the year-old law as unconstitutional, a ruling
that the Obama administration promptly announced it would appeal. The
Republican-led House of Representatives, in keeping a campaign vow,
voted to repeal the healthcare law last month. Senate rejection of
repeal means the embattled law's fate will be decided by court
challenges and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court, a process that could
extend into next year" (Smith and Ferraro, 2/2).
The Washington Post: "Wednesday's amendments are the first in the
Senate dealing with health care reform, but they likely won't be the
last. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who on Tuesday
introduced legislation with Sen. John Barasso (R-Wyo.) that would allow
states to opt out of provisions of the health care law, has signaled
that Republicans may offer more health-care-related amendments. ...
Earlier Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held its first-ever
hearing on the constitutionality of the health-care overhaul" (Sonmez,
2/2).
The Hill: "On their first try, Senators easily approved on Wednesday
an amendment the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization
legislation to repeal the onerous 1099 provision included in the
healthcare law. The Senate approved, on a 81-17 vote, a motion to waive
the point of order against the amendment offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow
(D-Mich.) to eliminate the requirement that businesses must file the
forms with the IRS for purchases of $600 or more" (Needham, 2/2).
|
 Some
of this
information is reprinted from
kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J.
Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser
Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up
for email delivery. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All
rights reserved. |
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