Obama: I Would Veto Tax On Health Benefits
President Obama said in an interview with Jim Lehrer yesterday that he would veto a health bill care that taxed medical benefits. “Essentially employers would stop providing healthcare,” said Obama. “John McCain had suggested everybody gets a tax credit, but the concern was that the tax credit wouldn’t be sufficient to actually buy health insurance on the market. So I am still opposed to that and would veto a bill if that was the approach.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks on health care reform today, at 1:05 p.m. ET. At 1:20 p.m. ET, he will meet with Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He will meet with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates at 4:30 p.m. ET. At 7:30 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host an event celebrating country music.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is in the Ukraine today. He met with Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko at 6 a.m. ET (1 p.m. local time) and the two made a statement to the press at 7:30 a.m. ET. He will meet with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko at 9:30 a.m. ET, with Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn at 11:15 a.m. ET, with Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych at 12 p.m. ET, and with opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk at 12:45 p.m. ET.
WaPo: Health Care Firms Donate To Lawmakers Debating Reform
The Washington Post reports that the health care industry gave nearly $170 million to federal lawmakers in 2007 and 2008, with a narrow edge of 54% going to the Democrats — increasing to 60% in the first quarter of this year, after the Dems expanded their majorities. The big standouts include Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA), as well as House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI).
NYT: Lobbies Adopt Tone of Accord With Obama
The New York Times reports that business lobbyists have taken on a more conciliatory tone with the White House — thanks to administration efforts to build support rather than invite opposition. “The Obama people have very skillfully said, ‘Hey, we are working on this, and if you want a seat at the table you can’t be out there throwing rocks at us,’ ” said Doug Goodyear, chief executive of DCI Group. “And that has restrained large corporations or trade associations from waging full-scale campaigns.”
Roll Call: Senate Dems Face New Challenge On Guns
Roll Call reports that Senate Democrats are facing a new challenge of unity from an amendment by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), which would promote concealed weapons. The amendment is being co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska, while liberal Dems will have to hold down moderates from rural states in order to defeat it.
Pro-Life Lawmakers Pushing To Ban Federal Money For Abortion In Health Bill
The Hill reports that a bipartisan group of House members, including both Republicans and pro-life Democrats, is pushing to prevent any federal funds in an upcoming health care reform bill from being used for abortions. Liberals are lining up to oppose it, such as Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO): “Pro-choice members will oppose any efforts by anti-choice Republicans or others to use the healthcare reform bill to expand prohibitions on legal medical procedures.”
