Rosa DeLauro’s Weasel Words: Backpeddling on The Pledge

On Day 6 of the Whip action, Jane P called Rosa DeLauro’s office and reported:

I was informed that Rosa DeLauro is in favor of a public option. She is committed to voting against a bill that does not contain one.

Adriana Surfas of DeLauro’s office emailed to clarify:

Understand you were asking about Congresswoman DeLauro’s position on health care reform legislation and the inclusion of a public plan option.  Below is a comment from Rosa.

“The conversation about health care reform could not be more urgent – families and businesses are hurting.  We have to make health care more affordable and lower costs for families, businesses, and the nation.  Meaningful health care reform must include a public insurance option that competes with private health insurance to lower costs and expand choice for consumers.   I strongly support the public option that is central to the draft proposal put forward by the House committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means.  I will be fighting to make sure the bill that comes out of the House includes a public health option and look forward to voting for that bill.” —Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

To which I responded:

Thanks for sending me this.  I appreciate that Congresswoman DeLauro is in favor of the public option.  I’m in favor of world peace, but I’d be a bit disingenuous if I allowed people to think that my favorable opinion of it was likely to make it happen.

The greater question — the one we’re asking — is not what she supports, but what she won’t support.  Is she committed to voting against a bill that doesn’t have one?  Because if not, it’s just window dressing to keep progressives pacified until a bad bill is "the best we can do" and all those fine words about "supporting a public plan" are just good intentions nobody ever had any intention of living up to.

Joe Lieberman has no trouble saying what he won’t support — a public plan.  Neither does Ben Nelson or Mary Landrieu or Blanche Lincoln.  The "centrists" are drawing lines in the sand all over the place. 

Will Rep. DeLauro commit to vote against a health care bill that doesn’t have a true public plan, available nationwide, with no triggers?

Adriana wrote back:

For background: The Congresswoman supports a public plan option and if you reread her comment, will see that she is saying more than just her favorable opinion will make a public plan happen.  She is actively working to ensure a public plan is included in comprehensive health care reform and she is a member of the House Leadership.  The House tri-committee legislation includes the strongest public option in any legislation, which puts the House in a very strong position when we enter conference with the Senate.  Additionally, I would add that there are those in the Senate who are working to include a public option – the HELP committee and Sen. Rockefeller, for example. 

 I responded:

Joe Lieberman says he won’t vote for any bill that has a public plan.  19 Democrats just told Nancy Pelosi they won’t vote for any bill that covers reproductive health care. Saying what you won’t vote for seems to be easy, as long as it’s pro-insurance industry and regressive.

Will Rep. DeLauro commit to vote against any bill that doesn’t have a public plan?

That was yesterday. I haven’t heard back. But she’s coming off the "pledged" list.  Well, it still puts her one step ahead of Donna Edwards, who seems to have lost the use of her internet for over a week.

DeLauro’s offices:  DC  202-225-3661, New Haven 203-562-3718, Middletown 860-344-1159, Naugatuck 203-729-0204, Derby 203-735-5005