On Saturday, Senate Democrats received the 60 votes needed to move the healthcare reform bill to the Senate floor for final debate. Two Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) were the last to vote.
It is reported that Landrieu was holding out for more concessions from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In the end Louisiana received a sweet deal from Reid to the tune of $100M in extra federal funds for the State of Louisiana.
This was not the only deal worked out behind closed doors between Democrats. Reid secured Ron Wyden (D-OR) vote by agreeing to support Wyden’s “Free Choice” legislation which will amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This will exempt certain low income taxpayers from having to purchase health coverage under the bill. Many deals such as these have helped Senator Reid acheive the 60 votes he needed.
Most politicians agree this is the norm in Washington basically selling your vote to the highest bidder. The problem is Americans are sick and tired of politics as usual especially when it is their taxpayer dollars funding these types of concessions. Earlier this year Reid made concessions to organized labor unions increasing the threshold of high-cost insurance plans which would be taxed under this bill to help pay for healthcare reform letting labor unions off the hook.
Republicans can share some of the criticism as they to have made deals of their own behind closed doors. For the sake of both parties and the American people this type of politics as usual must end. If the normal Joe on the street can’t sell his vote on Ebay then Politicians shouldn’t have the right to sell theirs either.
Author: Cityclix.net Staff Writer
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