SEIU, AFL-CIO signal they won't stand in way of moving Senate healthcare bill

[babylonsister]

SEIU, AFL-CIO signal they won't stand in way of moving Senate healthcare bill
By Jeffrey Young - 12/17/09 07:44 PM ET


Organized labor will not stand in the way of the Senate’s healthcare bill, even though it isn’t pleased with the legislation.

The country’s two largest labor federations on Thursday issued strong criticisms of the measure Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is trying to get off the Senate floor by Christmas.

But the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) expressly urged Democrats to keep the process moving by passing the Senate bill in hopes that President Barack Obama and congressional leaders can nudge it back toward the left during the conference committee process.

The AFL-CIO did not go that far, but its exhortations that Congress not give up on healthcare reform are predicated on the legislation surviving the Senate.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/72807-seiu-backs-passing-senate-bill-despite-complaints

[Larkspur]

1. That's changed. Trumka, Prez of AFL-CIO, says Senate bill will die in House

Trumka: Senate Bill As Is Will Die In The House

[BP2]

4. Without making reforms to Big Insurance,

this bill does not have what our country needs.

[Winterblues]

2. I wonder if Reid expects Union help in his re-election bid?

Reid is very vulnerable and needs all the help he can muster.. I believe without Union support he would not stand a chance at all. I hope he is considering that..

[WillyT]

3. Hmm... This Is What They Were Saying Earlier In The Day...

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/17/seiu-urges-changes-in-sen_n_395411.html

:shrug: