GOP (Senate) slow down effort underway

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

From NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell
Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who is also a physician, has just set into motion the reading of an entire 767-page amendment on the Senate floor. Typically, "the reading" is waived, but Coburn objected, which is his right.

Republican sources say this is an intentional use of the procedures to slow down the bill. Reading this amendment could, by GOP estimates, take until midnight.

Senior aides say, "If we need to lay down in traffic to stop the bill we would."

Republicans cite polling they say shows Majority Leader Harry Reid’s plan is not popular among voters.

A Senate clerk is now reading the text aloud. This is an amendment to the healthcare bill designed to create a "single payer" alternative to health care. A single-payer option is favored by the most liberal wing of the Democratic Party but has never been considered politically viable. This amendment is offered by Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders.

The clerks will rotate the reading duties.

Coburn released a statement on his action:

"I admire Senator Sanders for his willingness to fight for publically (sic) what many advocate only privately -- a single payer health care system funded and controlled by bureaucrats and politicians in Washington. Every American should listen to the reading of this amendment and pay careful attention to its vote tally.”

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/12/16/2153584.aspx

[apnu]

1. I do admire the GOP for their brass, and I wonder where the Dems balls are.

Really, at least the aging, failing, nationally loathed, GOP knows how to put up a fight. Dems during the Bush years? Did a great job of keeping that powder dry. Dems today? ineffective. Sad really.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. they obviously haven't descended yet

sad to say

[Downwinder]

3. "single payer" is finally going to get a hearing, all 767 pages.

Think anybody will be listening?

[change_notfinetuning]

4. If it keeps this "reform" from passing, I hope "War and Peace" is next. n/t

[harun]

5. Well, no one can claim he didn't read the bill.

[Skink]

11. If they worked a regular work year they could read all the legislation.

[tularetom]

6. The best thing that could happen is for the republicans to kill this thing

Let them get the blame for no health care reform instead of them blaming the Dems for passing a crappy bill.

The Dems can beat them to death with it in the 2010 midterm campaign.

[harun]

7. I think the Pukes supporting Medicare for all and passing it would be the

best thing.

I don't care who does it, as long as it gets done.

[Downwinder]

8. Thats a "Death Panel" I favor. n/t

[high density]

9. Let's remember to do this the next time the GOP wants something passed

OK?

[droidamus2]

10. Yuh think?

Gee the Republicans and their cohorts on the Democratic side (Braux, Nelson and even Lieberman) do everything they can to strip the legislation of anything that actually helps everyday citizens and bad mouth it from the beginning and surprise, surprise now people say they don't like it. Well their right I don't like the Senate bill but that doesn't mean I am against reform. I just want real reform not a watered down bill that is there for no reason but to allow the Democrats and Obama to say 'see we passed a health care reform bill'. Just passing a bill isn't enough if they haven't fought for what should really be in it (I say single payer all the way) then I would rather see it killed.

[Plucketeer]

12. CORPORATIONS RULE!

And WE helped them do so! :grr:

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Good, hope Reid keeps the Senate in session through 12/31. Then, can't you hear the GOP

yelling about the disrespect shown to 'christians'?

[groundloop]

14. Amendment Withdrawn...

I heard on NPR a little while ago that Sanders withdrew the amendment after making it through about 100 pages.

I kinda wish this would have continued, and that Reid would have the balls to let Joe Lie-berman actually fillibuster instead of backing down at the mere threat of it. Let Joe and his reicht wing buddies read the phone book aloud through the Christmas break.

[Thor_MN]

15. Does anyone know where and when the GOP is going to lay down in traffic?

I feel like taking a drive.

[Luciferous]

16. Ha!