It’s getting pretty hard to figure what members of the House are even thinking about with some of the crazy trial balloons they’re floating. Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD) for instance just told Greg Sargent that in part because of the Nelson/Nebraska Medicaid deal the Senate bill is just totally tarnished to be passed. But TPM Reader DG points out why what Van Hollen is saying, at least on this count, is complete nonsense.
“Because of provisions like the Nebraska deal, the Senate bill has been branded in a way that understandably makes it unacceptable in its current form to many voters, especially independents.”This is nonsense. The senate could pass a standalone bill stripping the senate bill of the medicaid deal and this wouldnt have any impact on the bill already passed (because Obama could sign it after he signs the Senate Bill). This would get full support from every dem senator and probably some GOP members. If the GOP tried to fillibuster this deal, it would be horrible politics and it would just show the GOP is obstructionist. Someone please call Van Hollen on this nonsense.
It’s just cover. Greg please follow up. I have seen this pushed as the “reason the senate bill wont work” when members of Congress know there is a quick fix.
