The new Repub meme: This isn't the bill! This is just a discussion draft! The Dems don't know

[Honeycombe8]

In the Senate:

The Dems don't know what they're talking about because they haven't even READ the bill!

Schumer: We rec'd a copy of what is represented to be the bill, and I have read it.

Sen. Cornyn (R-TX): But that's not the bill! That's a discussion draft of a bill. It's going to have lots of amendments!

Another senator: We were told the bill would be online at 9 this morning. It was finally online at 11:00. Here it is. I printed it and read it. NOW they're saying...this isn't the bill! It's a "discussion draft" of the bill. So how can we prepare amendments or anything else without the bill?

Sen. Cornyn is trying to do a Catch-22. The bill isn't what they say it is; they haven't even read the bill. But when they complain they don't have the bill, that's a lie! The bill is online! Cornyn keeps saying, "You keep criticizing a bill you haven't even read. This is just a discussion draft." A clever way out to try and escape serious debate, amendments, criticism.

[C_U_L8R]

1. Republicans are punching themselves in the face

Over and over again. And it never gets old. So funny.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Moving target

They'll just keep editing it for the benefit of the RW teabagger loons. They could care less about Heller and Paul (who would probably vote against it on principle) if they can pay off Collins and Murkowski and maybe throw a bone to Portman. 50 votes and bam.

[Honeycombe8]

3. Heard that they have far fewer than 50 votes.

So paying off two won't do much. Besides, Collins, who is against it on principle and decency reasons, can't be bought off (but I'm sure she'll take whatever they want to give).

Rand Paul can be bought off. If someone is against it for GREED reasons, he can be bought off.

But two Senators won't make much difference at this point, looks like.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. That's why it's a moving target

They are moving it so they can satisfy the teabaggers (Cruz, Lee, Johnson), and that would leave the "moderates", who you'll notice were flanking Drumpf in their "meeting" yesterday (Collins on one side and Murkowski on the other) -



and Rand Paul. Heller already said "no" and after that "America First PAC" did that big ad buy against him (and then had to pull it), he'll probably still be a definite "no". Someone on DU posted earlier about H2B visa stuff related to Maine and Alaska, and if they try to put some beneficial rider on this (or promise it on other legislation for them), then they will lockstep.

They can't lose more than 2 in order to have Pence break the tie.

[Honeycombe8]

5. I really think Collins is dug in. It's the Medicaid thing for her. But she'll take the Visas, anyway

Read that she may run for governor next year. If a lot of Mainers lose their ins., that would interfere with that.

Plus, this is a real concern for her, it seemed. Giving the state Visas doesn't solve the concern. They would have to change the bill so at least fewer people lose insurance.

I don't know about Murkowski. But she's against the Planned Parenthood defunding and said she'd like to see an amendment taking that out entirely. She'd also like to include the Dems in negotiations, she said.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I think both Collins and Murkowski are concerned about the Medicaid thing

but it's a matter of "allowing" up to 2 of them in the caucus to defect to the "no" column and buying off the others, while making it more draconian to take care of the RW flank.

If they leave the PP funding in there (and "promise" to take care of it in another bill), then they may be able to buy off Murkowski and let Collins and Heller do a "no". They could promise Paul that if they cease making payments to the insurers, that will kill the ACA on its own (assuming the courts will allow it).

Of course this is just the Senate piece. It would need to be reconciled for the House so that both chambers have the identical bill and if that version isn't harsh enough, the House teabaggers may kill it.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Boy, this healthcare stuff is complicated! Who knew?

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Heh