Did Pelosi Jab Obama on CSPAN Promise? Speaker Distances Herself From Public Option
EmailABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Democrats quietly start to reconcile the divergent health care reform bills passed by the House and Senate, cutting Republicans, all but one of whom oppose the bills, out of the process. Republicans are seizing on a request by the CEO of CSPAN to put the Democrats’ closed-door negotiations on TV. House Minority Leader John Boehner today accused Democrats of attempting to “shut out the American people at the most critical hour by skipping a bipartisan conference committee and hammering out a final health care bill in secret.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gathered Democratic leaders and Committee Chairmen in her office this afternoon to plot how they’ll negotiate with Senate Democrats to merge their variant health reform bills. The meeting took place behind closed doors in Pelosi’s Capitol Building office. And the negotiations between House and Senate Democrats are likely to take place behind closed doors too. After today’s meeting in the House, even as she promised that whatever bill is produced will get a “Triple A rating” and provide "Affordability" for the middle class, "Accountability" for insurance companies and "Access", she did not bend on doing her negotiating in public. The CEO of CSPAN, Brian Lamb, called on Democrats last week to allow CSPAN cameras into their health reform negotiations as they meld the two bills. CSPAN is a private company funded by cable companies that broadcasts House and Senate proceedings as a public service. “President Obama, Senate and House leaders, many of your rank-and-file members, and the nation’s editorial pages have all talked about the value of transparent discussions on reforming the nation’s health care system. Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of every single American,” wrote Lamb in a letter to Congressional leaders from both parties. But negotiations have grown increasingly delicate as the process has moved forward. Senate Democrats wrote the final version of their bill entirely behind closed doors before releasing to the public online several days before passing it Christmas Eve. It was pointed out to Pelosi by reporters today that President Obama, on the campaign trail, promised the health reform process would happen in front of TV cameras. "There are a number of things that he swore on the campaign trail," Pelosi said jokingly. Besides, she argued that the process has been transparent up until now. "There has never been a more open process for any legislation," she said, also arguing that placing legislation on the Internet before it is voted on represents “another town venue.” She and Rep. Chris van Hollen, who is in charge of plotting House Democrats’ reelection strategy, argued that hearings on health reform throughout the year, markups in the Spring and town hall meetings in August make the reform process unprecedented in its openness. Pelosi indicated that a public option health insurance option to complete with private insurers was not necessary to make the legislation effective. The House bill includes a public option and many progressive Democrats are insisting on one, but the idea lacks the votes to pass in the Senate. "We will have what we need to hold the insurance companies accountable. I contend that whatever we have coming out of this bill will hold them accountable and they’ll be crying out for a public option," she said. In addition to reaching compromise on the public option, House and Senate Democrats will have to find agreement on other key differences, like how ironclad to make a ban on public funds going to insurance companies that offer abortion coverage and, most importantly, how to pay for the proposals’ nearly $1 trillion price tags. Both chambers envision cuts to Medicare spending, but they diverge on tax increases. House Democrats put a new tax on wealthy Americans. Senate Democrats would levy a tax on insurance companies that provide all-inclusive benefits plans that are thought to drive health costs up.
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“She and Rep. Chris van Hollen… argued that hearings on health reform throughout the year, markups in the Spring and town hall meetings in August make the reform process unprecedented in its openness.”
How about doing some fact checking on that? Has any other bill in the last 40 years received more town halls, more hours of floor debate, or had more full public releases of markups and committee bills? Should be something you can throw to the interns. My bet is that Pelosi is right and this bill has received more open and public debate than any other bill for a generation.
That said, I do support C-Span’s push to televise the final process even though it will drag thing out for months as Lieberman finds a subtle way of saying “I will only vote for it if my health insurance buddies don’t have to give up the gravy train.”
Posted by: jhw539 | January 5, 2010, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
Since there will be no public option, what will the taxes be spent on? The House version places new taxes on wealthy Americans and the Senate version taxes insurance companies. But they both cut Medicare! I must be missing something.
Posted by: LongT | January 5, 2010, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Hmm. I am glad that some have faith in politicians to run healthcare which is a pretty large economy, larger than many countries total gdp.
I would go for reform that said we that get subsidized by our employers to count that as income yet be able to take any premiums, including the contributions we make off our income which would then pass that income on to the insurance companies. I would aslo be willing to take any benefit I receive from insurance, such as an operation as income.
Anyone who has had a serious operation knows full well that the money that their insurance has paid far exceeds many years of premiums yet we still have some labeling them as evil…even though most states regulate their profits to begin with.
But, if our society likes the fact that medicare and social security will one day bankrupt all of us then lets speed the crash up with good ole healthcare reform.
Posted by: david | January 5, 2010, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Why are they so ARROGANT. What are they hiding.
Town hall meetings are bs.
Why dont they televise it?
Oh I know why, they are screwing us.
Behind closed door deals.
Nelson’s deal bs,he says every state can get this. who is going to pay if every state is exempt? They are taking us for fools, wise up America.
Posted by: John | January 5, 2010, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
“There are a number of things that he swore on the campaign trail,” (and hasn’t honored) Pelosi said jokingly. Finally, some truth from Washington.
Posted by: deanbob | January 5, 2010, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
They are now going to bypass reconciliation. They don’t wasnt the American people to see them (joking about porking it to us).
Posted by: deanbob | January 5, 2010, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
Over $106B in unfunded liabilities. How is Washington going to pay for it? They are already monetizing debt just like the Weimar Republic did.
Posted by: deanbob | January 5, 2010, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
The process of reconciliation of these health care bills will make sausage making attractive!
Posted by: tillyerkt | January 5, 2010, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
What I see is increased taxes and caving to the insurance lobby. Are these new taxes paying for the 41 million uninsured somehow? Am I missing something?
Posted by: LongT | January 5, 2010, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
They are so arrogant to think the public doesn’t know they’re screwing us over. It’s obvious they have to conduct meetings in secret, otherwise, we’d learn all the illegal payouts made to secure democratic votes. I’m sure there is more pork in this reform bill than the Louisiana Purchase for Landrieu, the Cornhusker Kickback for Nelson or the university for Dodd. Also, if they give up the public option, what is the purpose of the bill? Millions will still be uninsured and those with insurance will find their premiums hiked up considerably.
Posted by: grannysunni | January 5, 2010, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
You know if you really think about it, this bill only raises taxes. And now it moves behind closed doors? This is almost too obvious for even the most hard core liberal left supporter to swallow. It not only doesn’t address the health care cost crisis, it doesn’t even make sense.
Posted by: LongT | January 5, 2010, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
How does this bill pay insurance for the 41 million currently uninsured? How does it work? Is there going to be a tax credit given to those too poor to pay taxes if they only file for it. I am totally confused and miffed about how this is going to work. Strange stuff here folks.
Posted by: LongT | January 5, 2010, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
jhw, why only bashing Lieberman? Maybe cause he has an I after his name and not a D. How about all the Dems that made the same statement? Where is your outrage? Why do you only bash repubs and independents? Your party is a party of corruption same as the others. Admitting it is the first step!
Posted by: whatsgoingonhere? | January 5, 2010, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Yep change and transperancy………..bo you LIE! How’s that working for you demo??? Ignorant people!
Posted by: Gayle | January 5, 2010, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
Pelosi is a bald faced liar. She claimed the democratic congress was going to be the most open ever.
Well we all know the facts. Even the most ignorant moonbat democrat should get it.
Posted by: jonny | January 5, 2010, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
I thought Beck was crazy with his Cloward and Piven stuff but it really does appear that someone is bound and determined to overload and collapse the system with fresh new welfare dependents and no money to pay for them.
Posted by: david | January 5, 2010, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
THE MOST CORRUPTION IN THE HISTORY OF WHAT USE TO BE A FREE WORLD….PAY OFFS PAY OFFS AND MORE PAY OFFS
Posted by: liberty1984 | January 5, 2010, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
Glenn Beck has uncovered a lot of corruption for our Hope & Change Government, he welcomes debate from the white house. you people pay attention
Posted by: liberty1984 | January 5, 2010, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
Our Media is part of this corrupt bunch, to think the people of the main stream media has kids of their own they could care a less about to where they would hide corruption known this will be in place as their own kids grow up to this Socialist America..Fox News is the only hope for finding out what is going on
Posted by: liberty1984 | January 5, 2010, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
transparency…hilarious.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | January 5, 2010, 9:26 pm 9:26 pm
I like how she states that this bill was transparent by having it posted on the internet prior to voting and the town hall meetings. Town hall meetings without anyone knowing what was going to be in the bills (even the members holding the meeting), bills written behind closed doors, and posted on the internet right at the 72 hour mark so the media and the public had no time read the material in order to protest.
Posted by: Keith | January 5, 2010, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
Congressional hearings and town hall meetings have nothing to do with the political maneuvering done in the back rooms to make deals to buy votes.
Those “behind closed doors” sessions are nothing but making deals, trading favors, promising pork and, if the deals, favors and pork don’t buy that politician’s vote, there are threats and promises of political retribution.
If the public were ever allowed to see that process, the outrage would be overwhelming.
Posted by: MizFW | January 5, 2010, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
Passed what? We still don’t have a public copy of the bill.
Posted by: TX_MBell | January 5, 2010, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Affordable for the middle class….they are going to tax the helllllkklllll out of the middle class for this scam.
Posted by: puttheminjail | January 5, 2010, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
sheeee’s baaack!
Posted by: cindy | January 5, 2010, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
This bill will mean the end of this free land as we know it. Now we will be forced to buy health insurance or else we will be fined and possibly jailed.
The government can’t keep track of 500,000
people on a list, how can they run health care. Just look at the VA’s backlog!
Posted by: Freedom1776 | January 6, 2010, 3:26 am 3:26 am
LIARS every one of them! That’s all we have gotten from Obama, congress and the rest of the criminals in Washington.
How many more broken promises does it take for all of you to realize you made a mistake voting for this guy?
If you want to make it right vote out all the incumbents this year.
Posted by: indymind | January 6, 2010, 6:33 am 6:33 am
The most corrupt administration and congress ever. Obama is an unbelievable liar!!! Pelosi is disgusting. Hoping a couple of the Dem Senator bite the dust before the final vote. Then the GOP needs to tie up the Senate for the rest of the year, so nothing gets done. Until we have reps that actually listen to the American people, nothing would be much better than this corruption.
Posted by: Tony T | January 6, 2010, 6:41 am 6:41 am
What a joke. I’m not speaking of the issue. I’m talking about the “honorable” position she holds. We are in trouble folks.
Posted by: ray sparks | January 6, 2010, 7:21 am 7:21 am
I’m still trying to figure out how she got elected “back in the day”?
Posted by: ray sparks | January 6, 2010, 7:40 am 7:40 am
PELOSI AND ALL THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ARE LIARS, LIARS, LIARS!!!!!!! IF THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BILL LET US WATCH THE PROCESS AND PUT THE CONGRESS AND SENATE AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE SAME PLAN!!!
Posted by: mj | January 6, 2010, 7:47 am 7:47 am
The system is corrupt. Of course the democrats don’t want C-Span to broadcast the behind-the-scenes dealings. They talk about change, but it’s merely talk. President Obama was elected by SAYING that things would be different. He never had any itention of actually following through. He SAID he would veto bills with earmarks. Has he vetoed one? No. He SAID there would be transparency. Has there been. No. He SAID he would keep America safe, and a terrorist almost blew up a plane on Christmas Day. He talks and talks and talks. And that’s all it is…talk. He was right, it’s time for a CHANGE. He isn’t it.
Posted by: jjsmith | January 6, 2010, 7:50 am 7:50 am
Glenn Beck has uncovered a lot of corruption for our Hope & Change Government, he welcomes debate from the white house. you people pay attention
Posted by: liberty1984 | Jan 5, 2010 9:13:47 PM
Yep. Glenn has been trying to get some very stunning FACTUAL items across for quite a while. Unfortunately, he is vilified for what he’s doing, being called a kook, over the top, nut job, etc. Funny though, every time he brings up a certain subject, he always seems to have charts, numbers, facts, PROOF that what he’s saying is true. The WH has the opportunity on every show to call in and tell Glenn off if they want to, but as of now, the phone has been silent. More power to Beck.
Posted by: Shoe | January 6, 2010, 8:26 am 8:26 am
Obama: “this will be the most transparent administration”. Obama, you’re a liar. Quit letting Pelosi run wild in DC and get a handle on your party. It’s quite obvious a few Dems see the light and are jumping off a sinking ship.
Posted by: lfrichar | January 6, 2010, 8:43 am 8:43 am
There are going to be lots of new taxes to pay for this bill. But, everyone will be required to BUY health insurance or pay a fine every year. I’m confused! Please sssllloooowwww it down and show the process on CSPAN.
Posted by: jennifer | January 6, 2010, 9:32 am 9:32 am
Shoe | Jan 6, 2010 8:26:49 AM…..When someone attacks Beck, it is always a personal; attack. I have never seen any facts to counter the facts he presents. He always says prove him wrong and he will admit it.
Posted by: deanbob | January 6, 2010, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Reid’s bill is unconstitutional! If Congress has the power to force each person to have health insurance, then
individual liberty would be totally meaningless!
We must
win this battle in the courtroom and the court of public
opinion in order to stop this socialist power grab once
and for all!
Posted by: deanbob | January 6, 2010, 10:24 am 10:24 am
REMEMBER – Obama wanted to ration the healthcare to our returning War Veterans suffering war injuries; the same government health care the Democrats want to push down our throats!!! Disgraceful!!
Posted by: Peter King | January 6, 2010, 10:59 am 10:59 am
Transparent What did you folks expect this is your Change, they have been it is all about taking America down to it’s knees Barack has been Clear with that from the front end! It just like the word he was brought in power by the media that is on his side there up front of what they want to do!My thing is What happen to America The people are in Charge, but they voted Change.
The Question if Americans don’t want this to happen they will be able to stop them but we have to want stop the Crooks!
Posted by: rckinscooter33 | January 6, 2010, 11:10 am 11:10 am
The health care bill has to be declared unconstitutional on the grounds of mis-representation. The Democrats have excluded the representation of almost 50% of “we the people” by excluding the GOP from their dark room deals and debates. Anyone that doesn’t see that is living in the dark.
Posted by: lfrichar | January 6, 2010, 11:19 am 11:19 am
What planet is Pelosi from? She says, “There has never been a more open … .” 2000+ page bills, NO C-SPAN…. Reminds me of how the old Soviet Union was – you could not believe anything they said.
Posted by: deanbob | January 6, 2010, 11:20 am 11:20 am
I have no problem with what Boehner’s saying here. However, it’s a shame they don’t apply this to their own side when they made shady back door deals. The 2003 pill bill’s a classic example.
Posted by: secondlook | January 6, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
Town Halls! NO! There were no bills being discussed at the town hall meetings. They were nothing but a publicity stunt. There were no bills to discuss at the time. I believe you are blinded by the light.
Posted by: Eckhardt | January 6, 2010, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
After how the dems have handled this entire process, its not the open source, Google transparency promised by Obama. its a tyranny of the majority.
Joe Wilson is being proven right! OBama has lied about how this process and plan would work.
This plan increases total healthcare costs for all americans while doing very little to contain costs. the so called budget neutrality is a sham made up of Enron type accounting and not recognizing liability committments to be paid by us in the future.
Pelosi and Obama know they are in trouble on this measure. As Bill Clinton told teh dem senators before Christmas there is a bigger risk if we do not pass (for the party).
This health care reform is not real reform. Its laying the ground work for fewer people to be insured and costs to run even higher than they do now.
Posted by: scott jeffries | January 6, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
And how many new people will be covered?
Posted by: deanbob | January 6, 2010, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
In the video above, is Pelosi saying ‘And you believed what Obama said.”??????
Posted by: deanbob | January 6, 2010, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
jhw539,
town hall meetings with a bunch of people screaming at each other in no way serves the same purpose or even closely resembles publicizing the actual congressional debates on the actual bills being proposed. to think otherwise is absurd and foolish. according to your logic, what a politician says about a particular policy on the campaign trail is equivalent to the actual deliberations between the president and his advisors about those policies. stop gulping down the partisan tripe that people like pelosi are tossing out. the promise was to publicize the congressional process…not some silly town-hall meetings. i won’t go so far as to say that obama lied about “transparency.” rather, it was yet another example of how utterly naive he was about the legislative process in DC. the guy was so inexperienced with the way DC works that he was oblivious to the fact that making such a promise would essentially grind the legislative process to a standstill and would outrage experienced members of congress who know better. obama is a neophyte and a political fool in many ways.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | January 6, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
As a supporter of Health CARE Reform; as opposed to an attack on Health insurance companies, (The responsibilty for the problems are spread out from the insurance cos. through the WHOLE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH A LOT OF CONSUMERS). I want to know if this is where the backstabbing gets finished, and the bodies, like the insurance companies, and middle class tax payers get buried.
Posted by: parma hts gary | January 6, 2010, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
What are they hiding? Why are we allowing them to do this behind closed doors? Where is the Ethics committee on this? Do we need a change in our politicians? Yes we do,and this is the year to do it.
Posted by: stormerF | January 6, 2010, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
This has never been transparent–this wicked witch needs to get back on her broom and be gone for good!!!!
Posted by: countrygirl_74 | January 6, 2010, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
Joe Wilson was right ” YOU LIE”
What a bunch of CRAP, They are all liars.
How’s all that hope and change working out for you.
Posted by: marysara1954 | January 6, 2010, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
So, he meets with only democrats. No republicans anywhere to be seen. And we are supposed to believe that this bill is good for the country? If they are not willing to get input from all sides, they are trying to ram something down the throat of the American public that is not wanted by anyone. America, meet your socialist President, Barack Obama.
Posted by: zubie | January 6, 2010, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
They’ve already proved they have the votes to pass it, so why the secrecy? If it were any good for the American people, you can be sure they’d be bragging about it every night on the news instead of meeting behind closed doors.
Posted by: maplerover | January 6, 2010, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Its time to throw the democrats out of office. I am not voting for any incumbant democrat who votes for this bill that will bankrupt out country.
Posted by: scott jeffries | January 6, 2010, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Obama said 8 time that health care reform would be televised. He is a
liar.
Posted by: magnoliabel | January 6, 2010, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
If we are to survive we have to get bo and his minions out of office….Pray for this!
Posted by: Gayle | January 6, 2010, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
No C-SPAN? Well then its time for Nancy to go through the full body C-SCAN…that bill is probably sewn into her girdle for secret meetings in the coat room on Capitol Hill. IN THE NAME OF TRANSPARENCY..FRISK THAT WOMAN!!..ew, no..maybe not. No wonder this bill stinks!
Posted by: cindy | January 6, 2010, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
I find it odd that some say Republicans should quit opposing “reform” (even though this bill will reform nothing – and they fully understand nothing is being reformed as they pass it) but are supposed to agree or be silent.
It is the loyal opposition that keeps things honest, and makes sure things are out in the open. The folks who want all opposition silenced are frighteningly like the Russian KGB who dragged any who dared oppose of to frozen prisons or just simply made them disappear.
This bill has become a farce – a sad commentary on a Democratic party that used to be for the common man – and it is now for the few, wealthy, isolated elite who are permitted into the inner circle ruling class to inform the rest of us how we will be allowed to live, how much we will be allowed to earn, where we will be allowed to live, what we will be allowed to drive ect. ect. ect..
At no time in history has any “intellectual class” ruling system done anything but ruin a nation – and it has been tried many times. This ruling elite is in the process of ruining this nation under the irrational illusion it is doing good.
they are taking the power from the people, anointing themselves with an absolute conviction of their own arrogant superiority.
Posted by: jimmyc1955 | January 6, 2010, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
Looks like Joe Wilson was right (duh!)…
YOU LIE!
Posted by: stan | January 6, 2010, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
THIS HEALTHCARE BILL HAS BEEN DONE IN AS MUJCH TRANSPARENCY AS WAX PAPER..!!!
Posted by: lloyd and judy schneiderman | January 6, 2010, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm