Jamie Dupree

Health Care Action

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:09 -0500

While there was a sharp sense of action on health care on Monday and Tuesday in the Capitol, the debate had the feel of a hangover yesterday, as lawmakers waited to see the final text of the health care reconciliation bill as well as a report from the Congressional Budget Office.

From The Mailbag

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:06 -0500

I get a lot of questions from listeners each day, whether in comments on this blog, via email, Twitter or Facebook about the ongoing health care debate and the process involved in the House and Senate. So let's try to answer some of those queries.

Congressional Budget Office

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:03 -0500

Most people outside of Capitol Hill probably had never heard of the Congressional Budget Office before the current health care debate, but now its budgetary projections have taken on landmark importance in the halls of Congress.

Senate Earmark Backers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

I'm a day late, but it is still a good story to explore, as earlier this week 15 GOP Senators joined with most Democrats to block an earmark ban offered up by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).

Health Rules Politics

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:09 -0500

Still short on votes for health care reform, it became obvious on Tuesday in the halls of the Capitol that the only hope for Democrats to get health legislation through the House is to use a parliamentary maneuver which would not allow for a direct vote on a Senate passed health bill.

Still Waiting On Details

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:06 -0500

It's almost midnight on Tuesday night as I write this, and no matter how many times I hit the F5 key and refresh on the website of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional Budget Office, I'm getting nowhere.

Those Pesky Undecideds

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:05 -0500

The numbers of on-the-fence Democrats on health care reform are dwindling each day, as Democratic leaders put the squeeze on rank and file members of the House. But how many of these undecided lawmakers are truly undecided?

Jobs Bill Boost

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

While the evolving battle over health care reform continues to grab the spotlight in the Congress, Democrats will chalk up a legislative victory today with final approval of a $15 billion jobs bill.

House Rules Precedents

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:49:19 -0500

Democrats are giving more signals today that they plan to avoid a direct vote in the House on a Senate passed health care bill. The following historical rundown was sent to reporters this morning about the parliamentary precedents involved.

The Abortion Divide

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:09 -0500

Democrats in Congress are still looking for the magic formula to get a majority in the House to vote in favor of a Senate passed health care bill, as the focus is again on pro-life Democrats who are threatening to derail the health bill.

Health Care Machinations

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:06 -0500

Democrats took one step forward Monday and prepared to do battle with Republicans over both the details of health care legislation and the procedural fights that it will take to get that matter to the House floor in coming days.

Jobs Bill Update

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:03 -0500

The Senate on Monday night paved the way for final approval of a package of tax cuts for businesses that hire jobless workers, setting the stage for Wednesday approval of the $15 billion jobs creation measure.

Wall Street Reforms

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

As promised, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) unveiled a new bill that presents some of the most sweeping financial market reforms since the aftermath of the Great Depression, all an effort to prevent another Wall Street Collapse, like that one that hit the U.S. economy in 2008.

New Health Bill, Part 2

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:13:05 -0500

Things suddenly got busy on Sunday night with the release of the legislative language of a health care reconciliation bill from Democrats. But after 90 minutes of full throttle evaluation of the 2,309 page measure, it's clear this is just Step 1 of Health Care Hell Week.

Health Care Undecideds

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:09 -0500

It's all about numbers as Democrats get ready for a make or break vote in the House on President Obama's drive for health care reform, as a number of lawmakers remain on the fence about the details of a controversial health care measure.