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Political Hotsheet
AP
© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Senate Votes Down Health Care Repeal Measure
AP
The Democratic majority in the Senate late Wednesday voted down a GOP measure to repeal the health care law. The vote was 47-51, largely along party lines.
Senate Republicans, who are unified in their desire to repeal the bill, have known all year they had virtually no chance to pass a repeal measure. But Republicans campaigned in the midterm elections on a promise to "repeal and replace" the law, and they have been eager to show they are trying to follow through on their promise. The Republican-led House passed a repeal bill last month.
With a Democratic president and Republicans 13 votes short of the 60 votes they would need to break a filibuster in the Senate, the odds of the law being overturned legislatively in the next two years are essentially zero. It is possible that it will be overturned in the courts, however; two federal judges have deemed the law unconstitutional, while two have found it to be constitutional. The issue will likely end up before the Supreme Court.
In classic Senate fashion, the vote on the repeal measure was anything but straightforward. The repeal measure was actually in the form of an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, and the vote was actually on a "budget point of order" and needed 60 votes for passage.
"Voters in Missouri and nationwide sent a clear message last fall that they wanted their leaders in Washington to repeal and replace this law," Sen. Roy Blunt said in a statement following the vote. "I'm deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle refused to listen to that clear message, and instead voted to defend this bill, which two federal courts have already deemed unconstitutional."
Another amendment to the health care repeal law did see passage, however - an amendment to repeal a provision that requires businesses to file a 1099 form with the IRS for every vendor with which they've done $600 worth of business or more. Both parties were sympathetic to complaints from the business community that the provision would create onerous paperwork requirements, and the amendment passed easily and with bipartisan support, 81-17.
The change is supported by the White House, and Democrats are pointing to it as evidence of their willingness to tweak - but not repeal - the law. The House last year failed to pass repeal of the 1099 provision despite bipartisan support, and must take it up this year before it can go to the president's desk.
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Of course, their argument is that they have to pay for that... yet they have no problem paying for our military's unConstitutional offensive attacks prior to us being attacked.
So - for SOCIAL conservative "Christians": War?? Just fine!! Heal the sick and poor?? Not a chance!
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians - they are so unlike your Christ." - Gandhi
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The Repubs these days are either very forgetful, or too concerned about toeing the party line to notice their own hypocrisy.
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Personally, I am no fan of what passed - it didn't go nearly far enough toward a system like our military and congress have.
However, most SOCIAL conservatives are supposed to be Christian. Odd that none of them act like it when it comes to making sure that the sick and poor can be cared for.
There is nothing in the Bible where Jesus says that the Government should not help heal the sick and the poor.
BUT for some reason, many of the "Christians" on the far right feel like if they have theirs, screw everyone else. Definitely NOT the Christian attitude Jesus taught.
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The Repubs have no interest in job creation, nor cutting spending.
Instead, they prioritize a WASTE of time and money which they KNEW did not have a chance of passing the Senate.
So much for saving us money.
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Taxation is not slavery. No matter how many times you whine about it. Deal with it.
And thank you for being too wimpy to respond.
cepe, you of course as a liberal, do not get the point.
by Mortarman429 February 3, 2011 10:59 AM EST
GOPgold is a complete idiot.
by Mortarman429 February 3, 2011 12:01 PM EST
Zann routes against Americans and liberty.
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Once again, Mortar shows off his "debating skills".
Why not simply let the adults talk, Mortar? The discussion always goes down hill when you arrive with nothing but insults.
Grow up.
Well thanks for the credit. And guess what? I have gotten my business to where I am a lot less active in the minute by minute dealings. So, I can sit in my office, work on things...and check in here from time to time. Its called multi tasking. You should try it some time!
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Complete BS. Mortar's wife is the one who works.
All Mortar does is volunteer at a scare-pregnant-women "clinic".
THAT's the truth.
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Doctors and hospials are not mutually inclusive. They can be included in a company's plan, but Doctors are not restricted from practicing at many different hospitals. Some hosptials are in-network and some aren't. Yes, it is the responsibility of the patient to verify the doctor, hospital, emergency room and at times, technicians when getting treatment. That said, a newer office worker at the doctor's office scheduled the appointment at the wrong hospital based on location of ny neighbor's house. Confused? Much like the mess the average person deals with.
I didn't mention her son was taken from his place of employment to a hospital emergency room by co-wrokers to rack up huge bills as well because that hospital was not in-network on his plan.
There are tens of thousands of instances just like this. If people complain about the tax code being too complicated, wait until they get sick or have a medical emergency. I'm just saying, there is much room for improvement.
Then they wont treat their customers this way...at least not treat them badly and stay in business for very long!
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