The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Democrats Kill Amendment Requiring Bill To Be Fully Written Before a Vote

Text Size

The Spectacle Blog

Democrats Kill Amendment Requiring Bill To Be Fully Written Before a Vote

By Philip Klein on 9.23.09 @ 12:18PM

Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee killed an amendment proposed by Sen. Jim Bunning that would have required the committee to have the legislative language of its health care bill evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office before voting on it.

Currently, the only version of Chairman Max Baucus's proposal we have is a 223-page draft (PDF) that is written in plain English and explains the bill in conceptual terms. Republicans argued that until the bill is written in legislative language it will be impossible for the CBO to provide an accurate cost estimate.

The Bunning ammendment would have required the committee to have the legislative language of the bill, along with the CBO cost estimate, posted on the internet for 72 hours before a vote.

Democrats argued that waiting for the legislative languange to be written, and for the CBO to evaluate it, would needlessly delay the process by weeks.

"Let's be honest about it, most people don't read the legislative language," Sen. John Kerry said.

The Bunning amendment was defeated by a 12 to 11 vote, with Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln the only Democrat voting in favor.

Instead, the committee adopted an amendment by Baucus that doesn't require the legislative language to be written, but that does require a CBO estimate based on the plain English version.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

BigJava| 9.23.09 @ 12:58PM

In plain English to the American taxpayer, "Bend over and get ready!"

MarkJ| 9.23.09 @ 2:53PM

"Brains" Baucus is just begging for a revolution, isn't he? Max, baby, there is a line drawn by the American public that you don't dare step over. And you just stepped over it.

GJMerits| 9.23.09 @ 4:51PM

Looks like this may be a non-story. Just got an email from Dr. Larry Hunter:

Just so much background noise. “concept bills” in the Finance Committee have a long and venerable tradition going back to Russell Long. Must keep our eyes on the balls in play. R&R. — RINOCare & Reconciliation. (http://tinyurl.com/n7jl3m).

Still not sure about the Vaporbill concept (see above). That may still have some legs. I am awaiting a response from someone more knowledgeable about such things than I.

lookkool| 9.23.09 @ 6:44PM

To bad you guys arent going to slow this down anymore 50 years is enough. And lets face it 99% of you wouldnt know what you were reading anyway.

Victor| 9.23.09 @ 7:58PM

That's why you voted for him isn't it?
He knows so much more about things than you do or ever will.
You sign every thing without reading it?
Or knowing something about it?
We are slowing it down and we will exact payment in one form or another.
My money does not belong to you.

Nick| 9.24.09 @ 12:23AM

Lincoln is the only one up for re-election next year, that's why she voted for it.

The other democrats are hoping their constituents forget before their next election.

Let's hope their opponents remind them.

Stan Redmond| 9.24.09 @ 12:51AM

Just wait and see how fast this will change when the republicans regain the majority in congress. One of these days the democrats will have to sit back while republicans play this game on them.