Progressives target Democrats who voted against healthcare bill
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The celebration over the House passage of a healthcare bill is barely over, but groups are already drawing a bead on the next step – the fight in the Senate.
On the progressive side, MoveOn.org today released a 30-second television advertisement that blames Democratic congressmen who voted against the House bill Saturday night. The first group targeted in the ad is seven congressmen of the 39 Democrats who voted no.
In addition to ads, the group says it will hold rallies this week to thank those who voted for the bill.
Conservatives, too, have stepped up their lobbying, particularly on the abortion issue. In a last-minute compromise, the House approved an amendment that limits the use of federal insurance money for abortions.
Abortion rights groups are upset at the amendment and are hoping to block it when the measure goes to conference to reconcile the expected differences between the House and Senate versions of the healthcare bills.
Abortion rights is expected to be a key issue as the Senate deliberates. Republicans are hoping to use the issue to attract conservative Democrats to their side.
But it is the overall House bill that is giving Senate Republicans and some others a headache. Over the weekend, the GOP insisted the House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate because it includes a public option.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, has already announced that he would oppose any healthcare bill with such a provision and would help the GOP filibuster, if necessary.
Democrats need 60 votes, and without Lieberman and the conservative Democrats, some of whom could support abortion limits, it will be a struggle getting the needed votes for passage.
Meanwhile, today’s Gallup poll shows that Americans are evenly split on the potential long-term impact of the new bill on the healthcare system. The majority of interviews were done before the House vote, but the poll shows that 41% said the bill would make the healthcare system better, while 40% say it would make it worse.
No date has been set for the Senate consideration, but President Obama has said he wanted to sign a final bill this year.
--Michael Muskal
