@ChuckGrassley. Hi Sen. G Steph here. How much have talks slowed? Can bipartisan bill reach floor by August recess?
@gstephanopolus G steph bipart talks cont. No hard timeline More thn 17 pct of economy Need to do right With a lot of support
Senators from both parties have been engaged in heated debate over the cost and nature of healthcare reform. The two most contentious issues with respect to reform legislation are its cost estimate and whether or not it will include a public option.
With the Democrats now claiming a 60 seat majority in the Senate, the party's leadership is also deciding how aggressively they will pursue Republican votes on the bill.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has been cautious not to rely his supermajority because centrist Democrats could split from their party on the vote.
The White House yesterday re-affirmed its support for a bill that includes a public option.
The healthcare reform bill is still in markup in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
UPDATED 6:19pm: Grassley responded to a follow-up asked by Stephanopoulos, tweeting:
@CharlesGrassley. Thanks Senator. Still think you can devise co-op that public option advocates can accept?
@gstephanopoulos co-op possibility if rules same as for other plans and txpayers not on hook. No one can afford another fannie or freddie
Once again, Grassley being very careful with his answers.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) made more comments on the ouster of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya today, saying that he supports the U.S. -- backed mediation effort lead by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.
Met with Honduran political leaders -- President Arias is the right man to resolve this crisis.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Zelaya yesterday in D.C. and agreed to a political reconciliation process. President Barack Obama had previously condemned the military coup which occurred on June 28.
Yesterday, McCain challenged the administration's position on Zelaya himself. Today, he's lauding the prospects of mediation with Arias, a plan that emerged from Clinton's meeting with Zelaya yesterday. But the problem-solver seems to be a universally accepted choice, with Honduras' interim president Roberto Micheletti going along with the plan for talks as well.
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) asked his tweeps for input regarding a second stimulus package this morning.
Some in Congress are asking for a 2nd Stimulus Package. Do you support or oppose? I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have on this issue.
Political observers have engaged in heated speculation this week about the prospect of a second stimulus package. Republicans almost universally oppose the measure while Democrats are split.
Earlier today, the White House tried to halt the frenzy surrounding another stimulus bill. Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget Rob Nabors said "No one in this administration is talking about a second stimulus," at a hearing today.
Buchanan, of course, voted no on the first stimulus bill that no House Republican supported.
The RNC tweeted highlights of Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Tex.) conference call on the healthcare reform package. Cornyn called the measure an "unenforceable proposition."
Sen Cornyn addressing VP's hospital savings announcement this am, says: "various photo-ops are unenforceable propositions" #RNC
The Senate Finance Health Subcommittee member referred to Vice President Joe Biden's claim that hospitals would contribute $155 billion to help defray healthcare reform costs. Cornyn dismissed the claim, asserting that Senate Democrats were still having trouble paying for the program.
The RNC tweeted that Congress would have to raise taxes to pay for the program:
Sen Cornyn: Taxes that will need to be raised to make health care plan budget neutral will raise more controversy #RNC
As a result, Cornyn said during the call that the Democratic healthcare coalition had "fissures and fractures" in it.
The RNC also focused on Cornyn's jab at President Obama for supporting new taxes on health benefits:
Sen Cornyn: One proposal is taxing health benefits, a proposal the president derided as a candidate for president #RNC
Obama opposed taxing health benefits during the campaign, but recently has backed off this stance as the White House and Congress find ways to pay for the costly overhaul.
Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) derided talk of a second stimulus package Wednesday, tweeting that it would merely be a Democratic effort to "save face."
Remember that stimulus package? Wondering where jobs are? Now Democrats want Stimulus Part 2 to save face.
Congressional Republicans have come out strongly against a second stimulus package, arguing that it would waste money and kill jobs.
Democrats have yet to form a consensus on the proposal. One of President Barack Obama's economic advisers backed the effort yesterday, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that "there's no showing to me that another stimulus is needed," the same day.
Despite her resignation Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) continues to comment on national politics, this time making remarks about the possibility of a second stimulus package.
Talk in DC of a 2nd "Stimulus" Pkg: Impacts on AK? We'd be partaking in even more Big Govt largess & immoral natl debt accumulation when...
...NO ONE can measure DC's 1st attempt @ growing debt to "fix" prob. AK seeks development, industry, jobs for econ recovery vs growing govt
Palin's condemnation of a possible second stimulus echoed GOP sentiments regarding any such effort. Republicans.
The soon-to-be former Alaska governor also used the word "immoral" to descirbe President Barack Obama's policy agenda in comments she made yesterday.
Palin's decision to resign fueled speculation that she will seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2012 as well as sparked controversy around the country. Many pundits believed her resignation would hurt a possible presidential campaign, but a recent Rasmussen poll showed that she is still a top contender for the nomination.
Liberal politicians have traditionally called on Springsteen during their campaigns. The rock legend was a noted critic of President George W. Bush and endorsed President Barack Obama during the 2008 election, playing benefit concerts for him.
President Ronald Reagan famously used Springsteen's anthem "Born in the U.S.A." during his 1984 reelection campaign. But after he learned it had anti-Vietnam themes, his campaign ceased playing it during rallies.
Christie is the frontrunner in the GOP primary, the winner of which will take on Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in the general election this November.
The former U.S. Attorney has shown his green credentials on the campaign trail and recently gained the endorsement of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R).
The GOP is pinning its hopes on Christie to lead a comeback in the Northeast, where the party has been decimated during the last several elections.
I support her and you should too
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