GOP questions deals in healthcare legislation
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Part of the ongoing House debate on healthcare overhaul legislation has the feeling of a play. Or a television rerun.
Republicans have been attacking the deals made by Democratic leaders to secure votes, calling them corrupt. In a point of order, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) launched an attack on the bill by arguing that it contains earmarks, spending for unrelated programs.
Earmarks, he told his colleagues, are tantamount to a bribe.
Issa focused on deals that Republicans have criticized in the past: special payments for Louisiana, Connecticut and others.
“This bill is unconstitutional,” said Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), also condemning the payments, which, he said, will be fought in the courts.
But Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) urged her colleagues to “fight through these dilatory tactics.”
Of course, there is a purpose to the Republicans’ attacks in the debate: They are creating a record that could be used in November.
-- Michael Muskal
