Democrat Backs C-SPAN Broadcast of Health Debate

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Health Care

(AP Photo/Dick Whipple)

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri has joined Republicans in calling for negotiations to reconcile the Senate and House versions of health care reform legislation to be broadcast on C-SPAN.

House Speaker Nanci Pelosi, backed by the White House, has said the House and Senate were putting the final bill together "behind closed doors according to an agreement by top Democrats."

Republicans, noting that President Obama promised full transparency during his presidential campaign, have attacked that plan.

"The negotiations are obviously being done in secret and the American people really just want to know what they are trying to hide," said Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.

Now McCaskill has joined the critics on the other side of the aisle. After noting that hundreds of hours of debate over the bill have already been broadcast, she said in a statement that "it's my opinion that we should open up any further negotiations between the House and the Senate to C-SPAN so the public can watch."

"I believe that the best way for these negotiations to occur is through the conference committee process, and I have communicated my opinion to the leadership of my party in the Senate," she said.

Democratic leaders want to pass the bill as quickly as possible, and they fear that the presence of cameras during the final negotiations could lead to a slowdown in the process.

They also are freezing Republicans out of the negotiations because the GOP is virtually united in its opposition to the bill and has sought to stall passage.

Obama Reneges on Health Care Transparency

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by cesolm64 January 10, 2010 2:31 AM EST: The bottom line this progressive nightmare "Tax & Control" health care bill must be stopped by any means under the Constitution why we still have one.

It just shocks me that the greatest threat to liberty and freedom in this nations history comes from the progressive. Andy Stern (SEIU), John Podesta Center For American Progress, George Soros who funds Media Matters and the Daily Koss. When then have Barack H Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi the can almost tear down the greatness that is America but the American people will not stand by and let these facist destroy our country.; Reply to this comment


by zootsuithap January 9, 2010 8:06 PM EST: What are they afraid of? That the light of day might expose them for the cockroaches they are? Who the he11 does Nacy Pelosi think she works for? Bi*** you work for US, the American people!; Reply to this comment


by velma179 January 9, 2010 5:25 PM EST: I have listened to the video clips of what Candidate Obama said about the health care negotiations being aired on C-SPAN.

I looked at archival footage from the original sources and even went to the highly partisan, right wing website Breitbart to watch their "take". (I put that word in parenthesis because the videos are edited; presented there with editing that creates a slant to the material viewed).

1)I haven't seen or heard the word "PROMISE".

2) As Senator McCaskill states above -- hundreds of hours of debate and voting HAS been aired on C-SPAN.
I think she may be annoyed because she is not included in the final negotiations, as she has been one of the most vocal-give-me-a-TV camera-interview-ME! Senators during the last year of debate.
Anyway, I don't agree with her. I am so glad the House and Senate Dems took the "ping pong" approach.

In my opinion, the grandstanding and lying that has been shown in what we HAVE SEEN completely justifies taking the final negotiations behind closed doors. I am so tired of the lies and the half truths (death panels... government "takeover" of health care... taxes going up on the middle class... Medicare benefits to seniors being taken away... etc. etc.) -- I welcome this maneuver.

I AM disappointed the President was not able to live up to his stated intentions for making this a more public negotiation -- but that ended the day the Insurance Industry started PAYING to keep the BIG seat at the table! I don't blame the president -- and I wouldn't if his name was Bush, Clinton, Reagan -- whatever!

We will see what the final bill includes. Our Representatives will have ample time to read the legislation (they do have large staffs, you know!).

The final vote[s] WILL DEFINITELY BE TELEVISED on C-SPAN. We will be able to see who votes "yea" and who votes "nay".

It is my understanding that the legislation will be available for public review for a period of time (some say five days, some say three days/72 hours) before the President signs or vetoes it.
This remains to be seen. I do hope this stated intention (which is within the presidents sole power) does occur.

I want this because I think we the people should have access to the laws our Congress makes in our name. It is the right thing to do.

Do remember the legislation will be in the form it is written. It won't be translated to fourth grade reading comprehension language.

But I guess the "I'm anti-Obama for anything he does or doesn't do, no matter what" gang will complain even if it is posted. They always find a "reason" to back up their fantasies.
I am so glad they remain a minority.; Reply to this comment

by ProgressiveThinking January 9, 2010 2:49 PM EST

The sunshine laws should be suspended in this by-polar political environment.I believe it's better this way. For people who watch C-span, they should recall all the grand standing and showmanship that transpires in congress when the cameras are running. When their constituencies are present, politicians hardly ever talk candidly to one another. Unless talking in clichés, and using emotionally charged rhetoric are the norm in Washington. I believe congress acts different in front of the press.
Besides, we as voters have done are part in this republic. We voted for more Dems than Reps, so how the majority enacts its power is its own prerogative, and whether Obama vetoes the bill or not is his. They are stewards of our republic, they research more than us, they communicate with more factions then us and they are the ones the majority of Americans have voted for; therefore, the ball is now in their court. If others are having buyer?s remorse for who they voted for, or feel this administration and congress are illegitimate, then be ready next election to rectify your perceived injustices through voting. Or better yet, get out of the private sector and contribute your talents to the public. Either way let the government do their job with minimal interference.

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by zootsuithap January 9, 2010 8:07 PM EST: inteference??? are you a troskyite?


by UnchainUS January 9, 2010 1:47 PM EST: Even if Obama thought the GOP would cooperate with the government destruction of the world's best healthcare system and the unconstitutional requirement of an individual to purchase health insurance, a promise is a promise. He said it over and over. "Read my Lips" anyone? Well sure Obama will lose re-election in 2012, unfortunatly, we will pay for this huge step toward communism for decades to come, if not for all of history. Freedom is nearly dead now. Obama seeks to destroy the middle class and upward mobility and create a two class system with an elite ruling class and a poor class completely dependant on the government. The re-education of generations y and z is nearly complete. The use of MTV, Hollywood and pop culture was executed masterfully and we have a nation full of Marx's "useful idiots" ready to hand control of every aspect of thier lives over to someone else. :(; Reply to this comment


by sunday42 January 9, 2010 1:09 PM EST: Why would any thinking American trust our elected officials to do anything but hide things from us? This is Chicago style politics at it's best.It's about more pork and the selling out of America. They are going to shove this thing down our throats without care of what the American people want. It's all about forcing the socialist agenda on this country. Were you folks blind when you voted for Obama and his gang of socialist freaks?; Reply to this comment


by spruill09 January 9, 2010 3:05 AM EST: Against the Health care plan? express your opinion at http://www.obamahealthcareplan.org; Reply to this comment


by CBSisCommunist2 January 8, 2010 7:13 PM EST: Too late... OBAMA and PELOSI are in charge; Reply to this comment


by faceofus January 8, 2010 6:59 PM EST: The democrats should be fearing the American public. We the people have had enough of their back door dealings, bribes and threats. Obama promised transparency in government and so far it has been anything but. In November we are going to let these corrupt politicians who have forgotten that they were elected to represent the people know exactly what we think!; Reply to this comment


by faceofus January 8, 2010 6:57 PM EST: The democrats should be fearing the American public. We the people have had enough of their back door dealings, bribes and threats. Obama promised transparency in government and so far it has been anything but. In November we are going to let these corrupt politicians who have forgotten that they were elected to represent the people know exactly what we think!; Reply to this comment