Candidate Barack Obama made a big deal about government transparency and giving citizens ample opportunity to read pieces of legislation before they're voted on.
With this in mind, all 40 Republican Senators signed a letter sent to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Thursday demanding the new healthcare reform proposal be published on the Internet so that ALL Americans can "learn how the federal government is spending their money."
The full text with signatories was posted on Sen. Jeff Sessions' (R-Ala.) Facebook page moments ago:
Today, all 40 Republican senators wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) asking that in the interest of full transparency, as promised by President Obama, that he immediately release the new Senate Democrat health care bill to the American public.
Here's the text:
Hon. Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Leader,
On Monday, you announced that you had sent health care legislation to the Congressional Budget office (CBO). As you know, this legislation will have a profound impact on the lives of every American, including the next generation who will be forced to pay for it. Our national debt stands at nearly $12 trillion, with a deficit of $1.4 trillion. The health care bill will likely be more than 1,000 pages long and is the single most important legislation we will consider and debate this year in Congress.
With an issue this large and complex, we need full transparency at every stage in the legislative process. President Obama was elected, in part, on his promise to bring greater transparency to the workings of the federal government. The American people and every member of Congress should be allowed to read the bill that was sent to CBO. The bill should be made available for taxpayers to read and learn how the federal government is spending their money. We are writing to request that you immediately make all materials sent to CBO publicly available on the internet.
Sincerely,
Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.)
Sen. Robert Bennett (Utah)
Sen. Christopher Bond (Mo.)
Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
Sen. Jim Bunning (Ky.)
Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.)
Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.)
Sen. Susan Collins (Me.)
Sen. John Cornyn (Texas)
Sen. Michael Crapo (Idaho)
Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.)
Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)
Sen. Michael Enzi (Wyo.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.)
Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah)
Sen. Kay Hutchison (Texas)
Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.)
Sen. John Isakson (Ga.)
Sen. Mike Johanns (Neb.)
Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.)
Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Aka.)
Sen. Jim Risch (Idaho)
Sen. Pat Roberts (Kan.)
Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (Me.)
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.)
Sen. David Vitter (La.)
Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio)
Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.)
It will be fascinating to see how Obama-loving media report this in the next 24 hours.
Stay tuned.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The Dems won't read the
October 29, 2009 - 17:45 ET by FranksamThe Dems won't read the bill. Why would we expect Harry and Louise (I meant Nancy) to read the letter?
The future...
October 29, 2009 - 17:59 ET by unkeeafAfter our country has been stolen from us and the population awakens to find tyranny and misery in every corner, Democrats will finally be seen by the masses for what they clearly are: TRAITORS to the United States of America.
At that point, they'd all better find a good bunker. Those who don't will likely meet an end not unlike what Mussolini experienced.
MSM = PR firm for the Democrat Party
Y2K
October 29, 2009 - 18:43 ET by FranksamI was asked at the end of 1999 if I was going to buy more guns. I replied that I was only going to buy more ammunition. I still have a respectable inventory, although some has been burned up at the range.
The Islamic separatist that recently was killed in Michigan should make it clear to all of us that we should be ready at home. Critics of George Bush mocked his reference to 'fighting them here or there'. They're here now. Get ready
Converts to Islam
October 29, 2009 - 20:49 ET by miss911ninjaThey're here now alright. Our prisons are like Muslim factories, turning out converts faster than you can say "Allahu Akbar."
And you know that I can't
October 29, 2009 - 20:57 ET by FranksamAnd you know that I can't say that very fast, because I will never learn how to pronounce it. I'm sticking with 'God bless America".
Sweet
October 29, 2009 - 21:02 ET by miss911ninjaMy home sweet home!
The majoity of lock step Dem's
October 29, 2009 - 17:49 ET by Thinking.ManDon't care what's in the bill, they just want to know what's in it for them.
Corruptician's doing what they do best, stealing other peoples money.
This is going to make great 2010 election material, they need to get as many sound bites and video bits as possible with these guys acting arrogant, lying, contradicting themselves etc.
Poor Hairy.
October 29, 2009 - 17:54 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonHe looks more like an angry old man every day.
Maybe because it is being explained to him every day in the polls what a foolish old has-been he truly is.
Even his former supporters back home in lala land are giving up and walking away.
PATHETIC harry, truly pathetic.
http://gjresult.com
Angry old man?
October 29, 2009 - 18:08 ET by RukusMeet Dingy Harry.
Gary
POLITICS: poly (many) + ticks (blood sucking parasites)
What's up with this?
October 29, 2009 - 18:04 ET by BlondeMel Martinez (Florida) resigned from the Senate.
His replacement is Senator LiMeaux.
Sloppy staff work, apparently. Sheesh.
I hope he fails, too.
As one of the people that voted for Mel...
October 30, 2009 - 14:36 ET by AnkharanAs I understand it unofficially Mel became quite disgusted with the process and the shoe it down America's throat health care bologna.
Sad too he was one of the few that I felt like I was not voting for a lesser of two evils.
Charlie Crist will be running for the Senate and I for one will be voting in his favor. He made the #1 spot for fiscal responsiblity out of all the Gov.'s.
He has his faults and things I disagree with but on the whole one of the bettercandidates that is running.
Here it is
October 29, 2009 - 18:05 ET by AnotherFedUpOneIf you can stomach all 1990 PAGES of it.............
http://www.tnr.com/sites/default/files/House%20Bill.pdf
Cool Move.
October 29, 2009 - 18:09 ET by BuffNBoneI hope it gets some traction in the media.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
The MSM will ignore this
October 29, 2009 - 18:29 ET by bse5150The MSM will ignore this and not one Senator will go on talk radio or one of these blogs or FoxNews to bring this to the attention of the American people. Then the GOP will say, 'See, we tried to do something!'
This one they will post
October 29, 2009 - 18:30 ET by cajun2Unlike HR3200, this bill is filled with legalese and wrapped in smoke and mirrors. It will be very difficult to decifer. They win again.
Reid always looks like
October 29, 2009 - 18:41 ET by MidAmericaReid always looks like the popular depiction of Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Dicken's classic, A Christmas Carol. And the fact he wants to push this monstous healtcare bill onto the country right at Christmas time certainly adds to the image.
Nice Pic of Reid!
October 29, 2009 - 18:42 ET by MightyMouthQuite the "statesmen". He must have just walked past some of those "smelly tourists".
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
Harry Reid
October 29, 2009 - 19:25 ET by GregEThis has to be one of the dumbest people ever elected. Harry Reid brilliance...
http://www.youtube.c...
Sessions
October 29, 2009 - 19:23 ET by UnsaneSen. Jeff Sessions' (R-Nev.) Not to nitpick another bit of fine work from you, Noel, but Sessions is from AL.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
LOL, Uns
October 29, 2009 - 19:29 ET by BlondeSee my comment above.
I suspect it's crummy staff work at the Senate level, tho.
Not Noel.
I hope he fails, too.
Un & Blonde
October 29, 2009 - 19:54 ET by MrShyI think it's the result of Noel being overworked and underpaid around here.
EDIT: Oh, yes, Noel probably took it from some "official and reputable" Senate/guv'mint source.
Mmmmmm.... Slayer. For
October 29, 2009 - 20:41 ET by bse5150Mmmmmm.... Slayer.
For Democrats: Hell Awaits.
SSSSLLLLLAAAAAYYYYEEEERRR!
October 30, 2009 - 11:21 ET by pwozSSSSLLLLLAAAAAYYYYEEEERRR!
→ Where's Keyser?
October 29, 2009 - 19:30 ET by Cool ArrowWhere's Keyser when you need him.
There's just something familiar about this painting.
Can's put my finger on it
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
wassup cool?
October 29, 2009 - 19:39 ET by BKeyserwassup cool?
Dingy and Nan?
→ Whaddya think?
October 29, 2009 - 19:44 ET by Cool ArrowI'm just trying to figure which is which.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Insert BK Outrage here!
October 29, 2009 - 19:46 ET by BlondeI hope he fails, too.
Working on it...
October 29, 2009 - 19:52 ET by BKeyserWorking on it...
Update: I'm looking for a picture of Nancy to use and I came across this one. Caution...
BK
October 29, 2009 - 19:55 ET by MrShyThanks. I'm counting her pores as we speak.
And I've canceled my dinner plans.
:p
Shy~~
October 29, 2009 - 19:57 ET by BKeyserI put the caution tape up! LOL
→ That's a good one
October 29, 2009 - 20:04 ET by Cool ArrowThe look on her face while Dingy Harry was trying to cop a fee... er, I mean when he put his arm around her, was good too.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Ya know wut they say
October 29, 2009 - 20:18 ET by AbraxosBeauty is only skin deep, but ugly... __________________________ (short answer quiz).
Well, that pic explains
October 30, 2009 - 09:36 ET by Willis_Leon_Johnsonthe shortage of ugly sticks everywhere except for san fran and DC doesn't it?
http://gjresult.com
Hey, that's page 412 in "The Mortician's Handbook"
October 29, 2009 - 21:11 ET by SickofLibsHey, that's page 412 in "The Mortician's Handbook"
What's scary about it?
October 29, 2009 - 20:03 ET by CO2MakerI'll tell you: If you're a member of Congress who voted for these spending bills and the people with pitchforks coming to get you look like these two, you're in world of deeeeeep doo-doo.
"It will be fascinating to
October 29, 2009 - 19:37 ET by dcnorman"It will be fascinating to see how Obama-loving media report this in the next 24 hours."
If it's like everything else from the Republican side, it can only be using mental telepathy, apparently.
Chris Norman
Sit down when you read this
October 29, 2009 - 19:59 ET by CO2MakerHere is an astonishing breakdown of the House version of the bill, Nancy's 1,990-page behemoth.
From an article on Politico (link below):
"The House health care bill unveiled Thursday clocks in at 1,990 pages and about 400,000 words. With an estimated 10-year cost of $894 billion, that comes out to about $2.24 million per word."
Read those last five words again. Give you the vapors? Make you light-headed? Now, as Ev Dirksen said, we're talkin' real money.
Does it seem to anyone else that in the last year, many commentators have gotten so out of touch with big numbers that they're tossing trillions like they used to talk billions (and I can remember when anything in the budget that was a billion dollar was f***** expensive.
The stupefying power of numbers has crept into the writing of the law. "Fifty page law? Hah! I can do a hundred!" "Hundred, pshaw. I'll do five hundred!" "Half a G? Sheeee-it, here's 1,200 pages that'll cost trillions-with-a-T in expenditures." "I'll see your 1200 and go you half better." Ta-da!
House health bill clocks in at 1,990 pages - Jonathan Allen - POLITICO.com
American Bolshevik photoshop
October 29, 2009 - 20:56 ET by BKeyserHow's this?
American Bolshevik ---
October 29, 2009 - 21:11 ET by matthewdeanBK:
After factoring for the inherent ugliness of pols, specially these pols, why it is BEAUTIFUL !!
MD
;~o Thank ya MD.
October 29, 2009 - 21:16 ET by BKeyser;~o Thank ya MD.
→ American Bolshevik
October 30, 2009 - 19:21 ET by Cool ArrowMagnificent! Splendid!
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
CA~~
October 30, 2009 - 19:30 ET by BKeyserYeah, this one came out pretty well. Play the Where's Waldo game and see if you can find all the commie symbols...("all" is a bit of an exageration- there's only three.)
BK.... That is
October 30, 2009 - 19:35 ET by bigtimerBK....
That is perfection!
Doesn't get any better.
You don't know whether to laugh or cry either.
Which by the way...I'm still laughing.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
There will be no internet
October 29, 2009 - 20:50 ET by celatorThere will be no internet posting of the healthcare bill, unless it's up about three minutes before the vote.
This thing is the Obama/Reid/Pelosi equivalent of the Manhattan Project. It's all top secret. They will use it, as we all understand, to blow up what's left of the economy and the current healthcare delivery system. After that is accomplished, they own us.
They think.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Sweet Home Alabama
October 29, 2009 - 21:14 ET by HogTideRebelCatsSen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is my Senator.
My other Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)
Oh yea, so is Governor Ken Riley (R-Ala.)
But I forgot, I live in a "fly-over" State. We're just dumb hicks. We need Big Govt to take care of us.
I live in Misssissippi now...
October 30, 2009 - 07:00 ET by RukusBut I spent most of my life in Fairhope, AL. Where in Bamaland do you live, if you don't mind me askin'?
Gary
POLITICS: poly (many) + ticks (blood sucking parasites)
Why aren't GOP senators raising constitutional issues w/Obamacar
October 29, 2009 - 21:32 ET by B. JohnsonGiven that the federal Constitution is silent about public healthcare, the 10th Amendment automatically reserves government power to regulate and lay taxes for healthcare to the states, not the Oval Office and Congress.
So why aren't GOP senators trying to stop the corrupt Democratic-controlled Senate from usurping more state powers? After all, the Founders had intended for the federal Senate to be the voice of the constitutionally powerful states in the constitutionally humbled federal government.
What's going on, IMO, is the following. State sovereignty-ignorant voters have been electing lawmakers to both the state legislatures and the federal senate who are as state sovereignty-impaired as the voters are. Consequently, these lawmakers have not been doing their jobs to protect state sovereignty by protecting citizens from illegal federal taxes and unconstitutional federal government interference in their lives as evidenced by the threat of illegal Obamacare.
Finally, the following link should help give people an idea how state sovereignty-ignorant voters have shot themselves in the foot with big, corrupt federal government as a consequence of the ill-conceived, anti-state sovereignty 16th and 17th Amendments.
http://www.ronpaulfo...
can't do anything, haven't done anything
October 29, 2009 - 21:58 ET by jon_torlinTechnically speaking, nothing's happened yet, despite the obvious desire to the take-overs. Yes, they are making the attempt, but following due course, until Obeyme starts to sign bill into law(assuming safely that it will pass both Houses by a slim margin), the SCOTUS can't declare something unconstititional until they have something to declare it against.
Since this will be a mandate(nothing optional about it) of a government service, which hasn't been done before by Congress, it SHOULD be considered unconstitutional.
Having said that, I am mystified why it wasn't done so in regards to TARP, but then again, Amtrak is a government entity that we aren't required to use.....so far. I guess lawyers haven't hit the courts about TARP yet, or they have done so and we haven't heard about it yet. Your guess is good as mine.
It would be like having a glass that's empty and calling it a glass of water before the water is actually put in.
So it's a matter of seeing what happens and the reaction to it. Either way, these people need to be held accountable.
-Jon
The CONSTITUTIONALITY should
October 30, 2009 - 09:46 ET by Willis_Leon_Johnsonbe an issue BEFORE it comes out of congress.
It should be made a big deal of NOW so the People that don't have a clue of what is in, or even WHAT THE CONSTITUTION IS OR MEANS can begin getting over their public indoctrination and LEARN a smidgeon of accurate history.
The purpose of the media used to be REPORTING on over reaching of government.
Now the media is the cheering section for government abuse of power.
http://gjresult.com
I agree
October 30, 2009 - 12:13 ET by jon_torlinWhole-heartedly 100% and I've been saying as such on here several times. That's why the only hope is going to be either of these two things: 1) The House and Senate wise up and decide this is a bad idea(fat chance there) or 2) the SCOTUS takes action to overturn this pile of trash when(not if) Obeyne signs it into law.
I imagine there's been some republicans who have voiced their dissent against this for the very reasons of unconstitutionality, but that's often ignored apparently.
Time will tell in the next two weeks.
-Jon
That Photo Of Reid . . . .
October 29, 2009 - 22:13 ET by DoktorFranken. . . . looks SO much like the hind end of a wildebeast.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
Why Would Reid Hide It If There's Nothing Wrong With It?
October 29, 2009 - 22:30 ET by The7SticksPhil Hendrie has posted the healthcare bill in pdf format right here at his twitter account: http://twitter.com/realPhilHendrie, and he did so because he has proven that the bill WORKS. It would only cost two and a half trillion dollars a year, only 20% of the GDP. You see, you have to look at the long term results by an exponent of two rather than one. Forget about the ten years that it may have to contribute to our deficit, by the end of the century, we'll be even better than ever and kick every country's ass.
It's peculiar that they would hide the healthcare bill since more people would support if if they read it.
Hopefully it includes
October 30, 2009 - 03:29 ET by ckc1227Hopefully it includes mental health care coverage.....you sure need it. I recommend shock therapy.
McCain?
October 29, 2009 - 22:37 ET by azwildcatsWhere is McCain?
(Never mind, he is near the bottom; I was looking in alpha order)
I think it is fake,,
October 30, 2009 - 03:48 ET by DragonsbreathSen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)???
He can not go against Darth err Nancy can he?
"1/20/2013 The end of a Error"
Huh?
October 30, 2009 - 03:54 ET by TheHistorianMartinez is a Republican and a Senator. Nancy Who?
No, He's not a Senator
October 30, 2009 - 07:34 ET by Blonde....any longer. He resigned a couple of months ago, and (surprise, I thought he'd nominate himself to "hold" the vacant seat) the RINO Crist appointed George LeMieux to fill the seat.
I hope he fails, too.
It is time that the public demanded
October 30, 2009 - 03:57 ET by TheHistorianthat Obama and his minions keep their promises to be transparent, open, honest. We have been playing "hide the sausage" with Nancy, Harry, and Barack too long. It is time that these three were made to publish bills to the internet, be bipartisan, and be accountable.
You think these yahoos are
October 30, 2009 - 04:58 ET by RR GOPYou think these yahoos are going to let even a majority of senators screw them out of God knows how much $, the satisfaction of pushing Socialism on the country and personal power?
I don't think so.
In all probability, most of those forty are probably really for it, but want to offer the illusion of transparency so they can say that on the campaign trail when their turn comes up.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Re
October 30, 2009 - 09:26 ET by jessieHReid will be out on his corrupt ass next year. Don't let him pass ANY bill. Nothing he has done in office has been for this country.