Democrats make it clear on the record: We're going to get real health care reform done no matter what
Posted on January 29th, 2010 by Jason Rosenbaum in Congress Watch
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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi led the charge yesterday:
The quote is so good it's worth repeating in writing:
We'll go through the gate. If the gate's closed, we'll go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we'll pole-vault in. If that doesn't work, we'll parachute in. But we're going to get health care reform passed for the American people, for their own personal health and economic security, and for the important role that it will play in reducing the deficit.
Pelosi was joined by a chorus of Democrats yesterday saying the same thing. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller:
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman:
I think we will pass a big health care bill. I think the president will insist that we keep the promise. We're going to have to figure out a different route now that we dont have 60 Democrats, but the Republicans are not helping us.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:
We're going to do health care reform this year. The question is, at this stage, procedurally, how do we get where we need to go.
Senator Max Baucus:
We're not going to put it down. We're moving expeditiously. And expeditiously means quickly, solidly, thoughtfully.
President Obama's senior adviser David Axelrod:
There were plenty of people who said before the speech last night, just stand up there and say 'It's over.' Say 'We tried,' and move on because it's too politically difficult. And that's not what he did and we are working closely with folks on the Hill to develop the way forward and get this done and that's all we're focused on, on health care, is getting it done.
These are the leaders who have the power to pass health reform. Now, it's our job to make sure they finish reform and finish reform right.
Both houses of Congress must pass comprehensive health care reform by majority vote as quickly as possible. They have the tools to make it happen. As Axelrod said, "Reconciliation is a tool that is there to be used." And the human toll of waiting is simply to high. Health reform must be finished, and it must be finished right.
Again, Jason. You use the term "making it clear on the record" in your post. What exactly is clear? Is Pelosi going to demand a public option or get the Senate bill, as is, through the House? If we don't know into what they will parachute, it's sort of hard root for them.
It's clear that they want big reform and they want it now. Of course, we're pushing on the specifics. We'll see if they end up listening.
If you were demanding a public option, you'd demand it. If there's nothing to listen to, you cannot expect anyone to listen. I want to know why HCAN is not demanding the public in loud and uncertain terms. That's what you sold to your grassroots supporters and why they followed you. If you're backing off, they have a right to know and should not be strung along on vageries and falsehoods.
It's clearly in the 100,000+ letters to Congress we've sent over the last month, along with the other important policy points that we need to stand up for as well. It's on the website, linked to the slogan "Finish Reform Right," which, given the volume of communication to Congress we've been engaging in, is very clear. And I've written dozens of blog posts on it and the other issues as well.
I'm sorry this messaging is not up to your standards, but it does seem like a silly objection, given the evidence.
This is very exciting. Last week I was sick at the thought that health care reform was finished. Today, I'm excited that it actually might happen. I agree the public option is important, but if it's not in the first bill, I can live with that. We can't always get everything at once. To paraphrase, "build it and it will come!!"