Do not rec this diary, but please rec the Liveblog Mothership!
The house debate can be viewed live at C-SPAN.
LIVEBLOG #6 is now up. Go here to continue liveblog!
Liveblog #1 and Mothership
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The debate began with rules, chaired by John Dingell who chaired the session that saw Medicare born. Using the same gavel he used during that historic vote, Dingell used it extensively against Republicans hell-bent on disrupting Democrats standing in support of the bill by yelling "Objection" so loudly they drowned out those attempting to speak.
After the rules vote, which passed despite a solid block of Republican "Nays', the debate session began by honoring John Dingell for his continual support of health care reform. Steny Hoyer gave a moving first speech to start the four hour debate on the Affordable Health Care for America Act -- H.R. 3962.
The Republican opposition appears to center around recent unemployment numbers, Repub members rising to call the bill a "job killer" again and again. The bill itself was used as a 'prop' in many opposition speeches, Repubs carrying an approximately 2-foot stack of paper to emphasize their points. Democrats rose to quell the misleading rhetoric of the Republicans, some bringing the insurance companies to task on the floor.
Henry Waxman rose to point out one of the most valid arguments for passing the bill...that it would keep Americans from being "one illness away from bankruptcy". In opposition Boehner rose to try to argue that the bill would endanger "the sanctity of life". Repub Kevin McCarthy regales the house with historical inanities...'when the Republican's were in majority".
The debate continues for four hours and the Stupak amendment will be considered as well as the Republican alternate bill.
May be history in the making!
