Tweet
Today is the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up of the Tri-Committee health care bill and they’ve just readjourned after their dinner. They’re the last House Committee standing on the hill when it comes to finally passing this out of committee and onto the House floor. The Blue Dog Democrats are the ones holding up progress on health care reform in that committee. We’ll see what Republican amendments they vote for to weaken the Tri-Committee house bill. That’s where you come in–we need you to join in with the liveblog, and start naming names of those who voted for which amendment and against.
If these Blue Dog Democrats vote for the Republican amendment to kill the public option and the other amendment to put a trigger on the public option, we’ll remember their names. Here’s why their votes are so crucial on that committee–there are 35 Democrats with the Blue Dogs making up about 7 members, and 23 Republicans. They could all join with the Republicans to vote down any progressive amendments and to vote in support of poison pill amendments. We need two Blue Dog Democrats that doesn’t vote with the rest of the pack, and that’s a crucial two votes to keep the House Tri-Committee bill intact.
We’re going to need you today more than ever. So, please participate in the liveblogging for this second liveblog thread since the one below is a bit wieldy.
99 Comments
Support this site!
Subscribe to the newsletter
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About FDL Action
It’s also Live on C-span 3 on TV.
Barton pontificating still.
Capps 001
CDC’s wise woman program
Barton rises (actually doesn’t get off his fat ass) to object on the basis of cost.
Amendment passes on voice vote. surprising?
Waxman explaining why they can’t take up the Ryan White reauthorization act.
I’m glad Capps’s amendment passed.
They’re trying to ruin this bill by adding a huge authorization act with additional appropriation costs. They don’t want this bill to be deficit neutral.
Rep Nathan Deal (R-GA) Amendment
Reauthorizes Ryan White Act which expires this September.
oh god Barton has the floor again….zzzz
thanks! what’s this bill do/cost?
Neil:
Will check on that.
The Ryan White Act is basically a source of funding for HIV/AIDS research, funding, and local community centers to help HIV/AIDs patients out. Let me see what the bill number is on Thomas.
It hasn’t been introduced yet this Congress from what I can tell. The Democratic members are debating over this amendment–they know it’s a sneaky ploy by the Republicans to increase the cost of the health care bill.
I get the picture. Thanks.
It’s interesting that the original bill was sponsored by Waxman. He was good sticking a stake in this vampire of an amendment.
The GOPers are just wasting time now, no? Barton is critiquing the process blaa blaa blaa blaa. Time to clip my fingernails.
hey y’all, we’re back
what is the current amendment being debated ?
and are they broaching the subject of Ryan White Act simply to further delay and obstruct ??
Yeah, they offered the reauthorization of the Ryan White Act as an amendment in order to increase the costs of the bill. Waxman and the Dems know it.
Ryan White is something I think the Dems are going to go for in this situation:
I think we can allocate the necessary funds that triggers this Act within the current bill.
thanks.
now all this process is new to me but I’m having trouble believing Chairman Waxman is allowing this – thought there was some rule for this current mark up hearing – Division C ?? (published minimum of 2 hours prior to hearing) was this allowed in with the other amendments or are they trying to introduce it now, in real time ?
I don’t know enough to answer your question about whether Rep. Waxman could allow for this to be shortened.
amendment withdrawn – Waxman promises to talk about it at the end of the mark up process
moving over to CSpan 2
Deal Amendment withdrawn as long as it is brought up later in the session. (5:09 – 5:39) 30 minutes for nothing.
Can we keep up the liveblogging? C-Span 3 on TV just dropped the Energy and commerce Committee mark-up for Apollo 11.
oh, good, it’s back over on c-span 2.
Sutton Amendment (didn’t get #)
Just updated this diary with the link to live webcast on c-span 2.
Sutton/Christenson Amendment
authorizes HHS Secty to provide grants to States, Clinics, Public Health Centers and other non profit Community Health providers – with a focus on under served communities – eg – allowing these communities to hire more Community Health workers -
I think they’re offering support of the Sutton amendment.
Schakowsky citing Chicago hospital serving low income neighborhoods had a similar pilot program with Asthma patients – successful and lowering ER asthmatic visits by 65%
in response to the distinguished gentleman from Missouri’s concern trolling the language allowing for ACORN to provide boob jobs for ‘illegals’
zomg ! no parental consent built in !! Legist. Counsel reminds Bill will not change State laws already in place
but, but, what if there isn’t any state law in place ?!?!? ACORN can counsel minors about risky sexual behaviors without parental consent – the horror !
although here comes Barton offering faith based orgs joining in on all the fun – jeebus, they are quick on the draw
What’s happening now?
LOL. God, they really are against safe teenage sex.
Blackburn is going to ask a question, after her 4 minute self-aggrandize free commercial on C SPAN….?
Blackburn: Page 2 para’s A-J – will we incentivize abortion services with these grants ???
legist counsel: – funds in this amendment are only for education and referrals – not actual services
Weiner’s up. I think he’s ranting at the Republicans.
Weiner’s awesome so far.
yeppers – pulling their covers. ‘can’t see forest for the trees.’ we are about making a fundamental change to how we approach healthcare
“I understand you love the status quo, but you are alone!”
‘quit wasting our time with these goblins!’
Blackburn speechifies and forgets to ask her questions. Then reclaims her time and asks a question, then starts to speechifies again.
Weiner (D-NY) is tired of Republican speechifying and launches into his own in support of the bill. He’s mocking Republican straw men and red flags like Acorn. He says he recognizes the Republican strategy is to waste time, even asserting and arguing things they don’t believe to be true. Then he says, “You (GOPers) are all alone” (in opposing this.)
Weiner’s busy defending the Sutton amendment.
Voting on the Sutton amendment right now.
Space voted aye on the Sutton amendment. I think it passes.
heh. Bart voted aye first, and then voted no. Said momentary brain lapse.
Sutton Christensen Amendment
Ayes have it on voice vote
Barton calls for voice vote
tally (36 Y 23 N)
all blue dogs – aye
wow did Patrick Murphy just vote with the Republics again ?!?!?
Sutton amendment passes.
Another amendment being brought up.
You sure that’s Patrick Murphy or Tim Murphy?
Waxman’s patience is a tactical advantage for the Dems. No one is going to change anyone’s mind so giving the GOPers their say (ad naseum) makes the process long but unassailable.
definitely heard Tim Murphy/CT ’s vote of no – but clerk went back to another murphy and he voted no – dear god I hope I heard wrong
We’ll know what happens further tonight.
Rogers (MI) Amendment -
claims it goes back to Gingrey’s ‘best practices’ – then proceeds to rail against comparative research dictating all manner and care to practioners
What district in MI elects a dude like Rogers? (What is Mr Rodgers neighborhood) Doesn’t MI have one of the highest unemployment rates in the US?
Lansing – a white bastion. should have added – home of the DeVos family – which made it extra kewl when Candidate Obama gave a speech there last summer
What amendment is being voted on now?
Is it the Rogers amendment?
Rogers # 319
looks like I missed voice vote and it looks like it failed
Roll Call Vote
tally ( 23 Y 35 N)
Blue Dogs vote w/Dems again
Murphy of PA definitely voted Aye this time
next up “Amendment Waxman 1″ presented by Rep Lois Capps
Kapps up – she calls it Waxman Amendment I
establishes grants through CDC for evidence based programs to reduce teen pregnancy and std’s
amendment has criteria for programs without providing specific curriculum
Ms Capps – long time school nurse – cites recent CDC Report
teen pregn. rates increased 2005-2007 (last year data was avail.)
std’s measurably up in 15 – 24 y. o. group
AIDS in young men 15 – 19 y. o. has doubled in last 10 years
standing State parental consent laws not affected by this legist.
States not CDC to determine who is to teach classes
Sounds like a good amendment, but I don’t think it should be in this bill.
kinda wild these are the same klowns who handed out pallets of cash to faith based abstinence only programs now want to ensure continuing eligibility criteria (which is in the amendment)
Joe Baron, Wanker-TX (another Republican family values guy?)
Capps Amendment passes on voice vote
Barton requests roll call vote
tally ( 33 Y 23 N)
Blue Dogs Melancon and Ross vote No w/ Republics
slinkerwink – you are correct mam ! the Murphy from PA is Tim Murphy, CT Murphy is Mike. – thank dog
up next Terry Amendment -
missed his introduction – is this about Abstinence Only ??
next up Terry 1 Amendment
reauthorizes (2010 through 2012) Title 5 TNA Abstinence-Only education (set to expire)
Terry is lying through his teeth – claiming studies were only of AO groups ‘in their first years of operation.
Waxman cited now famous Mathmatica Eval. which eval. 4 different programs through their first 6 years- study showed AO kids were no more likely to engage in Abstinence than non AO kids
stepping away for a few minutes – hope I don’t miss the vote – although I should be back in time
ok I’m paying attention.
I think part of it is – if not the whole thing. They only posted a 1 page report on it.
Terry Amendment
roll call vote ( 26 Y 29 N)
amendment is not agreed to.
thanks both of you !
missed it
Roll Call Vote
tally ( 26 Y 29 N )
how did the Blue Dogs vote ?
sorry didn’t get the blew dog vote.
———–
next up Pallone Amendment
Class Act. would direct the HHS secretary to establish a new voluntary health insurance program financed by voluntary payroll deductions and not Federal money. (for long term care?)
Yes Votes: Stupak, Melancon, Barrow
I think that may be in the Kennedy HELP bill.
thanks doc
Vote coming up!
Do you feel like a pig coming down the python or just a person who doesn’t know how you’re going to finance your own assisted-living years?
Pallone amendment.
Heh. Hopefully my fiance and I will start planning for our retirement as soon as we’re married.
Congrats slinkerwink!
Pallone agreed to by voice vote
wow. Pallone Amendment passed via voice vote only
Pallone Amendment (long term care by payroll tax program) passes on voice vote.
Waxman: Gingrey Amnedment will pass if you don’t talk about it.
Passed on voice vote!
Gingrey Amendment 13_002 passed via voice vote
Doyle Amendment en block
- grants for national training
- Mcknerney and X of CO
- substitute by Mr Engel of NY
Passed on voice vote!
Doyle/Engel –
McNerney –
Engel
now under debate en bloc
Ayes have it, Amendments en bloc agreed to
Blue Dog Matheson Amendment – offering to withdraw
Matheson Amendment
(related to pediatric care, manpower issue?)
agrees to offer and withdraw the amendment.
So tired….hope they break soon. It’s midnight over there.
Zack Space Amendment
withdraws amendment.
Waxman asks for Republican Amendments, implies all Dem amendments have been heard.
Committee to meet again on Wednesday? Okay.
Interesting the Blue Dogs have had their amendments withdrawn.
Terry Amendment – no funding for any new Prevention or Wellness Trusts until Fed Budget Deficit is brought down below 1 Trillion
voice vote
No’s have it
Barton calls for Roll Call
tally ( 23 Y 33 N)
Blue Dogs vote with Dems
Terry Amendment
A trigger that keeps the chairman’s bill from going into effect if the federal deficit exceeds $1 trillion [currently $1.6 trillion].
Waxmen: this amendment holds prevention hostage to the budget debate. Opposes
Roll call vote – last vote of the evening ( 23 Y 33 N )
Amendment not agreed to.
No mark-up tomorrow. Meet Wednesday.
thanks everyone – helluva education
thx cbl2, slinkerwink
this again is a good sign from the Blue Dogs – I am feeling more and more confident that they have been gotten to behind the scenes. I am certain they will get to show off just a little but not a total derailing.
Thanks!
hope you are right doc – believe Barrow stepped off at least 4 times if not more, whatta pig, thanks Rahm, thanks DNC, really, you shouldn’t have.
hey Neil thanks so much for jumping in and hanging in. we have fabulous live bloggers at the Lake, I am not one of them, so it was great to have y’all here
and doc and slinky are iron wonks – they were doing the live blog over at Big Orange simultaneously – aiyeee
Hey cbl2 – I am hopeful that of the 10 Ross was shouting about having aren’t there. From what I can tell I don’t see any 4 of them acting in concert with the others.
I will be working some backend sources to see what is really going on but from the surface level they are not being as obnoxious as we expected. We should know something by tomorrow.
Key members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are to report to the White House Tuesday afternoon.