Lawmaker News

 
  November 19, 2009, 2:30 pm

One senator’s choice: ObamaCare or reelection

By Dick Morris

By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

A Zogby Poll this week illustrates the stark choice facing Senate Democrats as they have to decide whether or not to vote for ObamaCare. The poll shows that Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, high up on the list of vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking reelection in 2010, literally faces a choice between being reelected and voting for the bill.

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Archived under: Campaign, Healthcare, Lawmaker News
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  November 13, 2009, 11:56 am

Defeat ObamaCare in detail

By Dick Morris

By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Harry Reid can pass a bill in the Senate that has no public option or an easy opt-out, shallow subsidies for the uninsured, a low total cost, weak penalties for not having insurance, no coverage for abortion and no general tax increase (except for the premium and medical device taxes).

And Nancy Pelosi can pass a bill in the House (on final passage) that has a public option with no opt-out, steep subsidies for the uninsured, harsh penalties if they don’t buy insurance, a higher cost, full abortion coverage and a surcharge income-tax increase.

The question is: Can either one’s bill pass the other’s chamber?

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Archived under: Healthcare, Lawmaker News
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  November 10, 2009, 2:15 pm

Damned if they do, damned if they don’t

By John Feehery

I was gone last weekend, so I wasn’t paying too much attention to the floor debate and amendment process that surrounded the healthcare bill.

That is why I was surprised when I saw Republicans (except for Rep. John Shadegg, Ariz.) vote for an amendment that made it easier for Democrats to pass their healthcare bill.

My understanding of the role of the minority is to be as unhelpful as possible, especially when the majority is passing legislation that not only offends the very principles of the minority, but will bankrupt the nation to boot. Read more...

Archived under: Healthcare, Lawmaker News
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  November 8, 2009, 1:18 pm

Pelosi bill: Jail for no insurance

By Dick Morris

By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation reported that the House version of the healthcare bill specifies that those who don’t buy health insurance and do not pay the fine of about 2.5 percent of their income for failing to do so can face a penalty of up to five years in prison!

The bill describes the penalties as follows:

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Archived under: Healthcare, Lawmaker News
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  November 5, 2009, 10:38 am

Pelosi as Foch

By John Feehery

It was the French general Ferdinand Foch who said during the First World War: "Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I attack."

Foch’s tactics during the Great War, as it was called back then, unnecessarily killed hundred of thousands of French troops at the Battle of the Somme, leading to his eventual dismissal and an unhappy place in history.

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  November 3, 2009, 7:10 pm

The alternative now looks a lot more attractive

By John Feehery

One question that all the reporters are asking: What long-term impact will this election have?

Does it mean that President Barack Obama will be one-termer? Does it mean that the Republicans will storm back into the majority next year?

Will it keep the globe from getting warmer (or cooler)?

OK, that last one was a joke, but this election can’t be very funny for the Blue Dog Democrats. Read more...

Archived under: Campaign, Healthcare, Lawmaker News
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  November 3, 2009, 8:29 am

The winner of the 2009 elections is: Ron Paul!

By Brent Budowsky

Forget the spin and the slop. The real winner of the 2009 elections is the public official and candidate who has championed the core insurgency driving the election. It is Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul.

Paul embodies the anti-Washington, anti-tax, anti-big government, anti-financial insiderism viewpoints that are galvanizing large numbers of activists and voters. It is not a majority, but a majority has never been Ron Paul's goal. Paul is a conviction politician, an idea man, an advocate and a change agent.

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  November 2, 2009, 1:38 pm

One for the swamp

By Armstrong Williams

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi came to power with a pledge to “drain the swamp” of what she called the Republican “culture of corruption.”

Yet Pelosi has been shockingly silent when it comes to the current House ethics committee investigations of several lawmakers — mostly Democrats — who allegedly steered hundreds of millions of dollars in federal earmarks to clients of an influential lobbying group, which in turn lined the legislators’ coffers with millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

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  October 30, 2009, 11:59 am

My congressman is nuts

By A.B. Stoddard

There is much to ponder today — an escalation in Afghanistan, the disaster that is Pakistan, elections Tuesday that could hit Democrats hard and historic healthcare reform hanging in the balance.

But I am going with Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.). I know he has had too much press and that you have already read too much about him this week, but I want you to know that someone is fighting back against the weeping, offensive showman who represents the 8th district of Florida.

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  October 30, 2009, 11:15 am

Another House Bank Scandal in the making?

By John Feehery

One of the original earthquakes that helped weaken the foundation of the once-impregnable Democratic majority in the House was the check-kiting scandal of 1992.

I was working for the House Minority Leader, Bob Michel, at the time.

In 1992, ATM machines were just starting to become ubiquitous, and many old-time members still went to the House Bank to get money.

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