Eric Cantor has a memo out this morning saying that even the reconciled Senate bill can't make it through the House. Why's that? Basically he assumes that Bart Stupack and Dems who voted for HCR the first time around won't this time because the Senate language does not reflect that of the original Stupak amendment.
Two things. Yes, Congressman Stupack has come out and said recently he's still not there as far as the abortion language. But he's also said he's happy about a lot of the fixes President Obama has proposed.
Congressman Stupack, I believe, is sincere about his beliefs regarding the federal funding of abortion. (Even though I disagree with his interpretion) He is also, I believe, very sincere about getting comprehensive health care reform done. He needs to reconcile those positions, be it legislatively or otherwise. If you live in his district, let him know you respect his beliefs but that he needs to do whatever he can to be in a position to vote for Health Care Reform when it comes back to the House.
His info:
Email Here
Washington Office:
(202) 225 4735
(202) 225 4744 - Fax
List of District Office - Why not?
Update - I understand the "hostage taker" anger. But two things. One, he's been upfront about his difficulties witht he language, and two, it don't matter, he needs to be on board, one way or another..
Also - First Read has this on possible House votes that can be flipped in substitute. Maybe they should also be called.
*** Looking at the 39 Dems who voted no: So where does Pelosi get the handful of votes to get to 217? It will have to come from the pool of the 39 House Democrats who voted no last year -- most of whom are Blue Dogs or face tough re-election campaigns in November. First, she can start with the three Dems, who are retiring this year -- Brian Baird, Bart Gordon, and John Tanner. Next, she can twist the arms of Dennis Kucinich and Eric Massa, who voted against the original because it wasn’t far-reaching enough. And then you have conservative-leaning Dems (Jason Altmire? Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin?), who voted against the House bill because it had a public option or because it raised taxes on the wealthy. But the Senate bill the House will have to vote on doesn’t contain a public option, and doesn’t contain the millionaire’s tax. The argument to some blue dogs will be, If Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, and Mary Landrieu, could -- ideologically -- vote for the Senate bill, then they can too. In short, 217 votes are there, but getting them won’t be easy at all.
According to itskevin
Dem Scott Murphy (Gillibrand's old seat) intimated in a radio interview yesterday that his vote is back in play. He voted no the first time.
Maybe he needs to hear from his constituents as well.