Sen. John McCain took the lead today challenging President Obama on health care reform – and this afternoon went after Obama’s past opposition to the majority party using the so-called “nuclear option” on passing judges through the Senate.
McCain (R-AZ) said his party wants to “start over” but then turned to the process.
“I understand the frustration the majority feels when they can’t get their agenda through,” McCain said. He said “never” has reconciliation been used for “an issue of this magnitude.”
“I think it could harm the future of our country,” he said.
McCain reminded Obama that he opposed using reconciliation for then-President George W. Bush’s judicial nominees, even though that was over a fight to change Senate rules.
Reconciliation will only allow Democrats to modify the health care bill in ways that impact it’s budget scoring, and it’s unclear which of the House’s and the White House’s proposed changes will be allowed under those rules.
Though Democrats all day had been pointing out this is a flawed comparison, Obama didn’t engage on that point.
Instead, he asked to get back on topic.
“I think the American people aren’t all that interested in procedures inside the Senate,” Obama said. “I do think that they want a vote in how we’re going to move this forward. I think most Americans think a majority vote makes sense. But I also think that this is an issue that could be bridged if we can find an agreement on ways forward.”
Earlier, Obama and McCain sparred over what the Republican said are the “special interests” that were catered to in the health care bill.
McCain also complained about the 800,000-person carvout for Medicare advantage in Florida, and Obama admitted “You make a legitimate point.”
