Well, I thought it was funny! 😉 😛
The Hill reports:
The Energy and Commerce Committee will resume its markup of healthcare legislation Wednesday afternoon under a deal between Blue Dogs and House leaders, but there will be no floor vote on the legislation before August.
Delaying a vote until after August was a key demand of the Blue Dogs, along with reducing the cost of the bill by $100 billion and allowing states to create health “co-ops” that would compete with the government-run “public option” and private insurers.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was in the negotiations speaking for President Obama.
“We cut the cost of the bill, delayed a floor vote and ensured that the public option will not be forced on anyone,” said Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) who has led the negotiations for the Blue Dogs. “Members will have time to go home to talk to their constituents and actually read the bill.”
Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said he plans to finish the markup by Friday, the day Congress is scheduled to adjourn.“We cut the cost of the bill, delayed a floor vote and ensured that the public option will not be forced on anyone,” said Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) who has led the negotiations for the Blue Dogs. “Members will have time to go home to talk to their constituents and actually read the bill.”
Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said he plans to finish the markup by Friday, the day Congress is scheduled to adjourn.
“That is my expectation and hope,” Waxman said.
A couple things come to mind. I am glad that the Blue Dogs talked the rest of those pinheads out of forcing people to take the public option; that bothered me greatly. I figured that the “forcing someone” bit would never make it to the final bill. Because the Democrats know that killing off Private industry, whatever it might be would not be in their best interests. (Despite what Sean Hannity might say about that…. 😉 😛 )  Those people up on Capitol Hill might act dumb; at times, but in reality they know fully that private industry is the backbone of America.
This is not to say that there are not some far lefty socialists in the Democratic Party; there are plenty of them. Only difference between those idiots and the Communists in Russia are the party name and the language accents. However, I am happy to know that there are some moderates still in that party. Now, do I think this bill will pass? That is a good question. I believe that there is going to be some push back, among the far left in the Democratic Party, especially from the netroots people who want a single payer health-care system. Which I feel personally is an unreasonable goal, as I feel it would bankrupt the Nation.
I also know very well, that there is going to be a massive push by the far right types to kill this bill off entirely. Whether they succeed or not, is another story. It is important to note that the forcing language was stripped out and some state ran alternatives are being introduced. Some still may not like this, but I tend to believe the wind will go out of sails of those who were fiercely opposed to the plan.
I am just happy that they put the thing off till August and are actually are going to read the bill. That my friends is PROGRESS! 😀 😛 😉