Research Briefing

Democrats Supporting Government-Run Health Care Flexing Muscles Against Democrats Opposing Dangerous Experiment

“[Republicans] not the source of the immediate problem. Divisions within the ranks of Obama's fellow Democrats have stalled the legislation.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Obama Health Plan Delayed—Trouble Ahead?” The Associated Press, 7/24/09) 

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS VS. BLUE DOGS

Congressional Black Caucus Alleges “Spurious Claims” On Cost Of Government-Run Health Care, Willing To Ignore CBO. “In recent days, some within the Democratic Caucus have raised spurious claims that the cost of reforming health care in America is something our nation cannot afford … We are very concerned about the current negotiations and feel that it is necessary to restate our strong position on several issues and provisions going forward. In addition to ensuring that a strong public option remains intact, we also strongly support the following … Whether CBO agrees to score or not, we know that savings will come from many of the provisions of the bill.” (Glenn Thrush, “Black Caucus Blasts Blue Dogs,” Politico, 7/23/09)

Most Liberal Democrats Trying To Prevent Conservative-Leaning Colleagues From “Dominating.” “The issue isn't about race, aides tell me. It's about the CBC, which represents some of the most progressive members in the House, wanting to have a say in final negotiations -- and to prevent party conservatives from dominating.” (Glenn Thrush, “Black Caucus Blasts Blue Dogs,” Politico, 7/23/09)

• “Blue Dog clout is starting to worry party liberals, who fear Pelosi or Obama may move the bill to the right to bring the fiscal conservatives on board. ‘We don’t think any one group in our caucus ought to be able to derail this,’ said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.” (Mike Soraghan and Jared Allen, “Deadline Push Dropped After Health Momentum Fizzles,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

FUROR GROWS AS PELOSI MULLS SKIPPING KEY COMMITTEE TO PUSH BILL THROUGH

With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Considering Bypassing Energy And Commerce Committee, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) Storms Out Of Her Office. “Inside Health Policy's Julian Pecquet, who's staking out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, reports that Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman ‘stormed out’ of this afternoon's health reform meeting and told reporters he has nothing to announce. Asked whether the speaker could bypass his committee and take health care reform straight to the House floor, Waxman replied, ‘Ask the speaker.’” (“More House Drama,” InsideHealthPolicy.com’s “Health Policy” Blog, 7/23/09)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Says Bypassing Committee Does Not Solve “Vote Problem.” “Bypassing Energy and Commerce, which cancelled it’s markup of the healthcare bill on Thursday, would clear one hurdle, but it wouldn’t necessarily solve the Democrat’s vote problem. Hoyer for one has noted since last week that regional concerns about Medicare are not limited to the Blue Dog Coalition.” (Jared Allen, “Dems Mull Skipping Panel, Bringing Healthcare To Floor,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

Other Congressional Dems Confirm Ignoring Committee “On The Table.” “’The preferable course would be to go through the committee,’ Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) said Thursday night. ‘But all options will be on the table.’ Larson’s comments came as he and the rest of the Democratic leadership team emerged from a meeting where they hosted Ways and Means Committee and some Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats.” (Jared Allen, “Dems Mull Skipping Panel, Bringing Healthcare To Floor,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

DEMOCRATS’ LACK OF LEADERSHIP MAY DERAIL REST OF THEIR AGENDA

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) Bemoans Lack Of Leadership From Fellow Congressional Dems. “[I]n two interviews today, Cooper hinted at frustration with the work of congressional leaders' work to reform healthcare. ‘I welcome White House leadership on this, because congressional leadership has been lacking,’ he told ABC.” (Michael O’Brien, “Key Centrist Dem: Deal On Health Bill Still 'Months Away,’” The Hill’s “Briefing Room” Blog, 7/23/09)

Cooper Says Obama Giving Congressional Dems Control Of Crafting Government-Run Health Care Legislation Was Mistake. “Cooper lamented that it might have been a ‘mistake’ for President Obama to allow congressional Democrats to take the lead in crafting reform legislation. ‘He's allowed Congress to take over the drafting of this legislation,’ Cooper said this morning on Bloomberg News. ‘And I hope that doesn't turn out to be a mistake.’” (Michael O’Brien, “Key Centrist Dem: Deal On Health Bill Still 'Months Away,’” The Hill’s “Briefing Room” Blog, 7/23/09)

White House Hastily Negotiating With Congressional Dems, Knows Other Agenda Items In Jeopardy. “The White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, led a hastily called three-hour negotiating session at the Capitol with conservative Blue Dog Democrats, the group of fiscal hawks who have stalled action on the health care bill in the House. While Congress can resume its efforts in the fall, other major items on the president’s agenda, like climate change and rewriting financial regulation, have also been postponed, and are likely to be further delayed until the health care debate is resolved.” (David Herszenhorn And Jeff Zeleny, “As Health Bill Is Delayed, White House Negotiates,” The New York Times, 7/23/09)

House Dems Worry About Fate Of Future Agenda Items If Government-Run Health Care Not Passed. “Pelosi’s stance on adjournment is a reversal from Wednesday, when she said the public would want lawmakers to work into their recess to pass a bill. Her fellow liberals worry that failing to pass legislation before recess could make it harder to pass both healthcare reform and other agenda items later.” (Mike Soraghan and Jared Allen, “Deadline Push Dropped After Health Momentum Fizzles,” The Hill, 7/23/09)