http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...-deals-health/
Coburn: GOP on High Alert for Sweetheart Deals in Health Bill
FOXNews.com
Republicans have a message for Democrats considering switching to "yes" on health care reform: We'll be watching you.
printemailshare recommend (2) Republicans have a message for Democrats considering switching to "yes" on health care reform: We'll be watching you.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., warned Thursday that he and the staff of several other GOP senators will be monitoring with a microscope any potential payoffs to Democrats that materialize down the road in exchange for their vote on the health bill.
"If you think you can cut a deal now and it not come out until after the election, I want to tell you that isn't going to happen," Coburn said at a news conference. "And be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House."
Republicans are playing hardball after several "sweetheart" deals emerged in the Senate-passed health care bill, including the so-called "Cornhusker kickback" -- which would spare Nebraska certain Medicaid costs.
That provision was stripped in a package of changes introduced Thursday, but Coburn suggested Democrats might try to avoid the appearance of a quid pro quo -- giving something in return for votes -- by arranging for juicy payoffs down the road, like a federal appointment or local project.
As Democratic leaders try to win over just a few more hold-outs to reach the 216 votes needed to pass the Senate-approved bill in the House, the feisty Oklahoma Republican said he'll have his eye out for exactly that kind of deal.
"If you voted no and you vote yes, and you lose your election, and you think (your nomination) to a federal position isn't going to be held in the Senate, I've got news for you -- it's going to be held," Coburn said.
"No. 2 is, if you get a deal, a parochial deal for you or your district, I've already instructed my staff and the staff of seven other senators. We will look at every appropriations bill at every level, at every instance, and we will outline by district, and we will associate that with the buying of your vote."
A senior Senate GOP aide told Fox News that his staff found what he says is a sweetheart deal for Tennessee, aimed at Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., who just flipped to a "yes" vote.
The bill includes a provision that the aide said would provide the state with additional federal funding for Medicaid expenses.
The White House scoffed at the idea of Democrats striking special deals going forward, when asked whether, for instance, President Obama might be pledging campaign trail support in exchange for votes.
"I don't think a member of Congress is going to say 'I'll vote for health care if you come visit my district and campaign for me,'" White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Oh Tom..so now you have just admitted that anything you think looks su ious you are going to insinuate, without cause, buyoffs.. very ethical Tom
Repugs are gonna attack the Dems for cajoling/bribing other Dems?
Hey, Repugs, this is WASH DC.
YOU ARE ALL CORRUPT
and
BRIBED EVERY DAY BY LOBBYISTS
Repugs will destroy any Repug who votes for the health reform bill, but Dems are attacked for whipping into line their own side?
I agree that most are likely corrupt. However, it has become an all high record with the current congress.
"all high record with the current congress"
the health care industry and financial industry have been pouring in 100 of $Ms, probably more than under the Repugs, because those two sectors are targeted for changes and regulation, NOT because the Congress is kinda controlled by Dems.
Believe as you want.
If liberals agree that all the congress is corrupt, than why do they keep expecting them to
a. solve problems
b. fix anything
c. not spend wastefully
It's called insanity.
I'm a bit nicer. I just call therm lib s.
Who said democrats expect any of those things?
You might be right, but then what do they expect? If they don't want any of those things done, then does it just boil down to the hatred of white males, rich people, Walmart, Exxon, etc?
I don't think the vast majority of them hate all of those things either. And I doubt republicans have any different expectations as far congress is concerned.
That's one reason I refuse to belong to either party. As a whole, they don't have our best interest at heart. It's rare to find them do something that's actually good.
You sure vote for one of them.
No, I often spoil my vote with third party candidates, vote for Disney and other cartoon characters, or write in "none of the above."
Republicans are going to look at the bill? Do they know that requires reading? I'm pretty sure they haven't read the first one because "it's like a 1000 pages".
Sure. But you also have said you've voted both 'lib s' and Republicans before.
Such ignorance...
Your great Hope and Changer is leading the charger to legislating another 30 million customers out to the 'evil' insurance companies, under penalty fine and/or imprisonment.
i would say libs expect those because they keep wanting to increase their authority and power.
repubs are like the crackheads that tell people they are crackheads and not to trust them.
dems are like crackheads who try to fool you, and tell you how they will use the money you give them to get new clothes for a job interview.
"a. solve problems
b. fix anything
c. not spend wastefully"
There is no other countervailing power to the corps and capitalists except federal govt.
You wrongies have been duped by Movement Conservatives into destroying govt.
Why do conservatives want govt destroyed? So corps and capitalists can enrich themselves, unfettered by regs and laws, by ing over and ripping off consumers, employees, patients, the environment.
btw, the ripper offers don't care whether you're wrongie or a liberal, or an independent, they're gonna rip you off.
But with all three branches of federal got compromised and owned by corporate/capitalist money, the federal govt will not play its role in defending citizens.
The federal govt is now, has been for decades, a corporatocracy, not a democracy. Citizens have no representation.
Suckers and dupes, every last one of you wrongies.
Let the witch hunt begin..
Nobody takes the republicans seriously. Getting this bill passed means they can't even do the one thing they were good at, obstructionism.
do you even understand what is going on here? are or you too blind to see the truth? son this has next to nothing to do with political parties. take your "Stephen Colbert / Liberal" homer goggles off and pay attention.
I'm Wild Cobra Aggie Hoop er and I'm madd as !! Listen to me all you mudpeople, I'm the last angry white man and I won't take it anymore!!!
Well, it is "change," after all.
I'm glad the GOP is on high-alert for sweetheart deals. this will undoubtedly be the norm now for all bills.
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