The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Rockefeller Says He Won't Vote for Baucus Bill In Current Form

Text Size

The Spectacle Blog

Rockefeller Says He Won't Vote for Baucus Bill In Current Form

By Philip Klein on 9.15.09 @ 3:37PM

Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a member of the Finance Committee, said on a conference call Tuesday afternoon that he would not support the health care compromise proposal of committee chairman Democrat Max Baucus.

"There is no way in its present form I will vote for it," Rockefeller said in a call co-organized with the liberal Campaign for America's Future. Though he said he's worked closely with Baucus in the past, he said, "I cannot agree with him on this bill."

Rockefeller cited the lack of a government-run plan as the main reason for he couldn't support it, but also said the proposed tax on high-end health plans would affect every coal miner in West Virginia.

If more liberal senators join Rockefeller in insisting on the government plan, it would put Democrats in a tight spot, becuase Baucus, Kent Conrad and other more moderate Democrats have said that a bill couldn't pass the Senate with a government plan.

UPDATE: Later in the call, Rockefeller referred to the proposed alternative to the government plan in the form of a non-profit co-op as a "ridiculous idea." He said a government plan was needed, and argued that simply passing new regulations on private insurers wouldn't accomplish anything because the industry has enjoyed a "lifetime of lavish living getting around rules."

View all comments (4) | Leave a comment

John Thacker| 9.15.09 @ 4:26PM

"the proposed tax on high-end health plans would affect every coal miner in West Virginia."

Yes, this is a problem for Democrats. Unions members tend to have high-end health plans that cover nearly everything. Democrats can't vote for something that taxes union-negotiated health plans.

jr| 9.15.09 @ 4:39PM

Hey Rockofella, how are you helping your coal miners with the Cap and Trade? That one might get your rear finally tossed into the can. Or are you just being silent, listening, and working in the back room. I think I read that 34 states have coal deposits. We may need to sell some of our coal cheap to the Chinese if Obama's tariff plan to kick their butts fails. What a joke!

Richard Baker| 9.15.09 @ 5:18PM

Rockefeller said during the Clinton administration that we were going to get health reform, whether we liked it or not. In corrupt West Virginia, think election of 1960, as an example, the citizens continue to re-elect this clown, the ultimate carpetbagger. His arrogance comes from the support of his "constituents".

Mark from WV| 9.15.09 @ 8:14PM

I'm a WV native, lifelong Republican, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why my fellow West Virginians keep re-electing two national jokes, Byrd and Sockasmeller. Sure, we're a big union state, but how's that working out for us, fellow mountaineers? It is time for some REAL CHANGE in WV.