Lawmakers regrouping to seek bipartisan healthcare deal (The Hill)

[jefferson_dem]

Lawmakers regrouping to seek bipartisan healthcare deal
By Alexander Bolton - 09/23/09 06:00 AM ET

Democrats’ failure to attract Republican support on health reform has launched new bipartisan talks in both chambers as groups seek to influence the legislation ahead of crucial floor debates.

Seven Senate centrists — two Republicans, four Democrats and one Independent — are stepping up their activity after a bipartisan group on the Senate Finance Committee produced a bill with only Democratic support after months of negotiations.

At the same time, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Tuesday reached out to Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and other Republicans, hoping to find middle ground on healthcare reform.

“We believe the door to bipartisanship shouldn’t be completely closed and we’re doing what we can to keep it open,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu, a centrist Democrat from Louisiana who has joined the Senate group.

The balance of power in the healthcare debate is shifting as the Senate Finance Committee began marking up legislation this week that Democrats once hoped would serve as a vehicle for bipartisanship. But so far that bill has alienated both liberals and conservatives, leaving an opening for others to step in.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/59919-lawmakers-regrouping-to-seek-healthcare-deal

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Honestly, I do NOT consider this good news

I think the goal of the Republicans is to do their corporate masters bidding and gut and dilute and weaken the bill as much as they possibly can.

[Mass]

2. McCaskill is becoming a real disappointment, but I was hoping Wyden wanted real progress.

Apparently, he is among those worried that the GOP is not allowed to water down the bill?

As for Hoyer, I doubt there is any risk for him to get anything from Cantor. Even if Cantor wanted (as unlikely as it is), his caucus probably would not follow him.

[MidwestTransplant]

3. Yup now they are just getting on board to try to salvage what they can for the Ins companies.

or delay/destroy a bill.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. Oh great!

More "gangs"! :eyes: What's the point of having 535 members of congress if a "gang" of 6, 7, 14, or whatever are allowed to shape laws and determine the fate of judicial appointments?! Does this bother anybody else but me?!
:wtf: