Research Briefing

Quick Pivot From Government-Run Health Care Experiment To Hiking Limit On America’s Credit Card Exposes Democrats’ Doublespeak On Cost

CREDIT LIMIT HIKE SHOWS DEMOCRATS KNOW THEIR HEALTH CARE EXPERIMENT WILL BREAK THE BANK

Senate Dems Tried To Sell Bill As Budget Neutral Through “Fiscal Sleight Of Hand.” "First off, $247 billion -- the 10-year cost of the fix -- is one whopper of a 'discrepancy.' ... President Obama has vowed that health reform will not add a single dime to the deficit -- but he is seemingly unfazed about adding more than a quarter-trillion dollars to the deficit by changing the Medicare reimbursement formula without finding a way to pay for it. ... This latest maneuver only heightens the fiscal irresponsibility of what already was a fiscal sleight of hand." (Editorial, "2.47 Trillion Dimes," The Washington Post, 10/19/09)

But Dems Knew All Along Their Health Care Experiment Will Really Cost Taxpayers $2.5 Trillion. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT): "Just for a second -- health care reform, whether you use a ten-year number or when you start in 2010 or start in 2014, wherever you start at, so it is still either $1 trillion or it's $2.5 trillion, depending on where you start…” (Sen. Max Baucus, Floor Remarks, 12/2/09)

• Reid And Pelosi's Bills “Are Budget-Busters.” "While the CBO said that both the House-passed bill and the one Reid has drafted meet Obama's test by being budget-neutral, every expert I have talked to says that the public has it right. These bills, as they stand, are budget-busters.” (David S. Broder, Op-Ed, "A Budget-Buster In The Making," The Washington Post, 11/22/09)

That’s Why Sen. Harry Reid Had To Buy Votes From Members Of Own Party With “Cash For Cloture.” “Formally, it is known as H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But this week, it has acquired an unhelpful nickname: ‘Cash for Cloture.’ As Senate Democrats finally complete their health-care legislation, those combing through the bill have uncovered many backroom deals that were made to buy, er, secure the 60 votes needed to ‘invoke cloture’ -- the legislative term for cutting off debate and holding a final vote.” (Dana Milbank, Op-Ed, “On Health-Care Bill, Democratic Senators Are In States Of Denial,” The Washington Post, 12/22/09)

And Why Dems Rushed To Ram Bill Through On Christmas Eve, Despite Pledge For Transparency. "The legislative text and complete budget scores from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the health care legislation considered on the Senate floor should be made available on a website the public can access for at least 72 hours prior to the first vote to proceed to the legislation. Likewise, the legislative text and complete CBO scores of the health care legislation as amended should be made available to the public for 72 hours prior to the vote on final passage of the bill in the Senate.” (Sen. Jim Webb et. al., Letter To Senate Leader Harry Reid, 10/6/09; On Passage of the Bill, Roll Call Vote #396, Passed: 60-39 R: 0-39; D: 58-0; I: 2-0, 12/24/09)

Immediately After Rushing Through Health Care, Dems Then Had To Scramble To Increase Limit On Taxpayer Credit Card. (On Passage of the Bill, Roll Call Vote #397, Passed: 60-39 R: 0-39; D: 58-0; I: 2-0, 12/24/09)

• Even Though They Already Voted To Hike Limit By $789 Billion Earlier This Year. “If Congress agrees to the Treasury’s request it would mark the second increase in the debt ceiling this year. The economic stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year increased the debt ceiling by $789 billion to $12.1 trillion.” (Michael R. Crittenden And Patrick Yoest, “Lawmakers Urged To Raise Nation’s Debt Limit,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/10/09)

And Dems Going To Hike Our Credit Limit Again Next Year Since This Short-Term Debt Increase Will “Kick Down The Road Tougher Questions About Deficit Spending.” “The vote to temporarily raise the debt limit by $290 billion allowed House leaders to kick down the road tougher questions about deficit spending …The final battle is likely to play out in February, when the debt limit is likely to be bumped up against again, requiring another fix.” (Paul Kane And Perry Bacon Jr., “House Passes Temporary Measures To End 2009,” The Washington Post, 12/17/09)