Thursday, March 18, 2010

When the Whip Comes Down: GOP Plays Hardball on House Dems' ObamaCare Deals

At Fox News, "Coburn: GOP on High Alert for Sweetheart Deals in Health Bill":

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.
Video c/o Pundit & Pundette.

Plus, at Michelle's, "
The House Vote on the Slaughter Solution" (via Memeorandum). And, Jim Geraghty, "Punish These Fools."

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