We received an e-mail from National Write Your Congressman today on the health care issue, as well as the R&P Report for December 21, 2009 ...
issue update: health care
Robin B Tucker, the Senate was in session throughout the weekend debating health care legislation. At 12:01 Monday morning, Senate leaders held a cloture vote on the legislation, which is a vote to end debate on the measure and move it to the floor for consideration. The vote was approved, 60-40 - with not a vote to spare. Sixty votes were needed for the vote to pass. All Republicans voted against the cloture vote.
The Senate is expected to vote on final passage of the bill on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. If it is approved then, the legislation will go to conference, where differences between the House and Senate health care measures will be resolved and a final measure will be written.
Once a final measure is decided upon, the legislation would go back to the House and Senate for a final vote. If no further changes are made, and the legislation is approved in both chambers, the bill will be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.
Click here for information on the Senate health care bill (H.R.3590) (Click 'CRS Summary' for a summary of the bill)
Click here for information on the House health care bill (H.R.3962) (Click 'CRS Summary' for a summary of the bill)
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As mentioned, here is the R&P Report for this week ...
REVIEW
Senate Health Care Bill (H.R.3590)
Timeline: Senators are preparing for some late nights and early mornings at the Capitol as Democrats push to pass a bill to overhaul the nation’s health care system before the end of the year. The majority party believes it is only one vote shy of the 60 votes needed to advance the health care bill. The Senate could be in session on Christmas Eve, and perhaps the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, as well. Republicans have launched an all-out procedural assault to slow the march toward a final vote on the health care package, which they contend is broadly opposed by the American public. Democrats say GOP members are stalling needlessly.
Holdouts: Centrist Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska stated that he would not support the bill unless its restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion services are strengthened. He added that he had not yet seen a compromise that would satisfy him. Republican Olympia Snowe of Maine, the only GOP senator who was seen as likely to support bringing the bill to a vote, remains unwilling to support the bill because she says there are too many unanswered questions about how major provisions of the bill would work. “I think we should accept that and take time to work through the issues,” Sen. Snowe told reporters.
Anti-Terrorism Act: The House passed a bill that would amend the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept gifts of property and services for authorized activities of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. It directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually regarding such gifts. (H.R.3978)
$636 Billion Defense Bill: The Senate voted around 1 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 to proceed with action on the fiscal 2010 Defense spending bill, which also contains several non-defense provisions. At press time, a vote to clear the bill for the President’s signature was expected on Saturday morning. The legislation would provide $508 billion for the Defense Department’s regular activities and $128.3 billion for war operations.
Copenhagen Climate Summit: President Obama arrived in Copenhagen on Friday where delegates from around the world have spent the past two weeks writing a new global agreement on fighting climate change. Sec. of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to break an impasse between the U.S. and China by saying that the U.S. would contribute to a fund providing $100 billion annually through 2020 to help poor countries adapt to the impact of climate change if China and other developing countries would allow independent verification of promised carbon reductions. Republicans attacked the idea of spending more U.S. tax dollars on aid for developing countries. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.
PREVIEW
Resolution of Disapproval: GOP members are expected to file a resolution that would repeal the EPA’s recent finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases threaten public health. The finding triggered a requirement that fossil fuel emissions be regulated under the Clean Air Act. It is this finding that allows the President to promise that U.S. will mandate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions — with or without congressional action.
Federal Reserve Chairman: The Senate Banking Committee approved the nomination of Ben Bernanke to serve another term as chairman of the Federal Reserve by a vote of 16-7. (S.604)
The Senate is expected to continue work on the health care measure and could vote as late as Christmas Eve on the issue. The House has adjourned for the year.
Personally, at work for our small manufacturing company, we concluded our company's health care paperwork for the 2010 plan year. Health care has many challenges and reform is necessary, but the suggestion of single payer national health care system for the United States is very difficult to envision as a successful system of care for Americans. We would favor reforms that would keep and maintain consumer choice and would expand competition in the health care industry.
We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas holiday and a wonderful New Year in 2010.
peace
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