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Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) blasted Republicans Thursday for the Trumpcare bill they are negotiating entirely in secret, with no Democratic input, and at breakneck speed. She is not happy, and Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) got an earful at a hearing in the Finance Committee with HHS Secretary Tom Price.
She jumped out of the gate demanding of Hatch, "will we have a hearing on the healthcare proposal?" Which seemed to have completely confused Hatch, who had to consult with an aide about what McCaskill was talking about. After a few moments of befuddlement, Hatch reverted to form, insisting that "we've already had one," and then told McCaskill "I don't know that there's going to be another hearing, but we’ve invited you to participate and give your ideas," which was a mistake, giving her the opportunity to completely unload on him.
No, no, that’s not true, Mr. Chairman. Let me just say, I watched carefully all of the hearings that went on on the Affordable Care Act. I was not a member of this committee at the time, although I would have liked to be. Senator Grassley was the ranking member. Dozens of Republican amendments were offered and accepted in that hearing process. And when you say that you’re "inviting us"—and I heard you, Mr. Secretary, just say we’d love your support—for what? We don’t even know! We have no idea what’s being proposed. There’s a group of guys in a back room somewhere that are making these decisions. There were no hearings in the House.
I mean, listen, this is hard to take. Because, I know we made mistakes on the [Affordable Care Act], Mr. Secretary. And one of the criticisms we got over and over again that the vote was partisan. Well, you couldn’t have a more partisan exercise than what you’re engaged in right now. We’re not even going to have a hearing, on a bill that impacts one-sixth of our economy. We’re not going to have an opportunity to offer a single amendment. It is all being done with an eye to try to get it by with 50 votes and the Vice President.
I am stunned that that's what Leader McConnell would call regular order, which he sanctimoniously said would be the order of the day when the Republicans took the Senate over. We are now so far from regular order the new members don't even know what it looks like.
McConnell, Hatch, and Grassley can't be shamed—that's been proven over and over and over again, most recently with their united blockade of President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland. They're proving that even on the most consequential of matters—the Supreme Court and legislation on our entire healthcare system—that pure partisanship rules.
McCaskill: My first question I would make for the chair is will we have a hearing on the healthcare proposal?
Hatch: Will we?
McCaskill: Yes.
Hatch: [Befuddled] We've already had one.
McCaskill: No, I mean on the proposal you're planning to bring to the Senate floor for a vote. Will there be a hearing?
[Hatch consults with aide.]
Hatch: Well, I don't know that there's going to be another hearing, but we’ve invited you to participate and give your ideas and—
McCaskill: No, no, that’s not true, Mr. Chairman. Let me just say, I watched carefully all of the hearings that went on on the Affordable Care Act. I was not a member of this committee at the time, although I would have liked to be. Senator Grassley was the ranking member. Dozens of Republican amendments were offered and accepted in that hearing process. And when you say that you’re “inviting us”—and I heard you, Mr. Secretary, just say we’d love your support—for what? We don’t even know! We have no idea what’s being proposed. There’s a group of guys in a back room somewhere that are making these decisions. There were no hearings in the House.
I mean, listen, this is hard to take. Because, I know we made mistakes on the [Affordable Care Act], Mr. Secretary. And one of the criticisms we got over and over again that the vote was partisan. Well, you couldn’t have a more partisan exercise than what you’re engaged in right now. We’re not even gonna have a hearing, on a bill that impacts one-sixth of our economy. We’re not gonna have an opportunity to offer a single amendment. It is all being done with an eye to try to get it by with 50 votes and the Vice President.
I am stunned that that's what Leader McConnell would call regular order, which he sanctimoniously said would be the order of the day when the Republicans took the Senate over. We are now so far from regular order the new members don't even know what it looks like. And I know that doesn't make you happy Mr. Chairman, or Senator Grassley, because you have been in the Senate so long you know the value of the hearing process and the amendment process, and even though the vote ended up being partisan, just as yours will be, the amendment process wasn't. Both of you had amendments that were put in to that bill, as did other members of this committee. I want that opportunity. Give me that opportunity, give me an opportunity to work with you. That is what's so discouraging about this process.