Healthcare rules as Democrats and Republicans spar
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The House is debating the rule needed to bring the healthcare overhaul package of bills to the full floor.
Now that the points of order have been swept aside by the Democrats, the rule is the first of the crucial votes to be taken Sunday.
And the debate gives the Democrats and Republican positions in a nutshell.
“No is not an option, doing nothing is not an option,” Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) said. “The status quo will not work for us any more.”
Democrats argue that the healthcare overhaul is long overdue, that constituents need some relief from the rapidly rising costs and the current bill and that the insurance companies need to be reined in.
Republicans argue that Democrats are playing fast and loose with rules, that the underlying bills are too expensive and broaden government power in a bad way.
“This rule is flawed,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.). “This bill is fiscally irresponsible. We should vote no.”
--Michael Muskal
