Schumer plans to make Rep. Price’s confirmation hearing for HHS a into a showcase for and proxy battle over Trump and Ryan’s plans to phase out Medicare and replace it with private insurance and vouchers. That’s a good idea. But we still need to know where everyone in Congress stands, everyone in both house of congress. Here’s the list so far. Lots of members are giving shifty, changing answers to constituents, unwilling to give any clear answer to reporters.
We first tried to get an answer from Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) ten days ago. No answer. His office has suggested to some constituents he’s for keeping Medicare. But they’ve told other constituents he may need to support Ryan’s phase out plan. The refusal to make any public comments suggests he’s trying to keep his options open if Ryan needs his vote. We call those Finger in the Winds.
Much the same applies to Charlie Dent (R-PA), Jaime Herrara Beutler (R-WA), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and a bunch of others. People try to avoid taking a position to keep their options open. The only way to save Medicare is to find out where everyone stands. Have you heard anything from your member of Congress?
