McCain is a No! Woo Hoo!

[lululurker]

Breaking news but great news!

[mrsbro]

Really!?!?

{rushes to phone to look}

[isabel]

H just texted me this. Yesss!

[2curlydogs]

WHAT? Did they say why?

[2curlydogs]

Here's an article:
www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/senator-john-mccain-says-he-cannot-support-graham-cassidy-obamacare-repeal-bill.html

"I would consider supporting legislation similar to that offered by my friends Senators Graham and Cassidy were it the product of extensive hearings, debate and amendment. But that has not been the case."

[OscarQ]

Come on September 30th! I will not breathe easy until then.

[poundcake]

OMG I really really hope he stays that way!

[thejackpot]

I love waking up from my nap and seeing that the world is better than when I went to sleep. That hasn't happened much this year.

[mrssandro]

I hope others follow and he doesn't change his vote.

[seeyalater52]

The only good thing to happen to me this week, truly. It's far from over, though.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 13:20:57 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

Come on September 30th! I will not breathe easy until then.

Sadly if the Senate does manage to pass this garbage bill, it'll be more of the same in the House with no deadline (they can't change the Senate version of the bill but they could delay passing it and keep this hot mess going as long as they please.) 

[ESF]

Sept 22, 2017 13:19:00 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

Here's an article:
www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/senator-john-mccain-says-he-cannot-support-graham-cassidy-obamacare-repeal-bill.html

"I would consider supporting legislation similar to that offered by my friends Senators Graham and Cassidy were it the product of extensive hearings, debate and amendment. But that has not been the case."

This is good.

They will never hold hearings and debate because they know these bills are awful and the more attention put on them, the more people who hate them.

And he'll have a hard time backing down from this stance. This is not a position that says, "I'm in if you give me money for a shiny new opioid rehab center in Tucson."

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 13:32:55 GMT -5 ESF said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:19:00 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

Here's an article:
www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/senator-john-mccain-says-he-cannot-support-graham-cassidy-obamacare-repeal-bill.html

"I would consider supporting legislation similar to that offered by my friends Senators Graham and Cassidy were it the product of extensive hearings, debate and amendment. But that has not been the case."

This is good.

They will never hold hearings and debate because they know these bills are awful and the more attention put on them, the more people who hate them.

And he'll have a hard time backing down from this stance. This is not a position that says, "I'm in if you give me money for a shiny new opioid rehab center in Tucson."

They also can't do this in regular order, which makes the above very difficult. And with the 2017 reconciliation off the table after Sept. 30th, they only have the 2018 instructions at their disposal... and can't use them for this if they want to do tax reform. It's quite the conundrum. 

[mskitkat]

Sept 22, 2017 13:44:27 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:32:55 GMT -5 ESF said:

This is good.

They will never hold hearings and debate because they know these bills are awful and the more attention put on them, the more people who hate them.

And he'll have a hard time backing down from this stance. This is not a position that says, "I'm in if you give me money for a shiny new opioid rehab center in Tucson."

They also can't do this in regular order, which makes the above very difficult. And with the 2017 reconciliation off the table after Sept. 30th, they only have the 2018 instructions at their disposal... and can't use them for this if they want to do tax reform. It's quite the conundrum. 

Can you please explain that 2018 and tax reform bit again for what is probably the millionth time?

[biscoffcookies]

Sept 22, 2017 13:44:27 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:32:55 GMT -5 ESF said:

This is good.

They will never hold hearings and debate because they know these bills are awful and the more attention put on them, the more people who hate them.

And he'll have a hard time backing down from this stance. This is not a position that says, "I'm in if you give me money for a shiny new opioid rehab center in Tucson."

They also can't do this in regular order, which makes the above very difficult. And with the 2017 reconciliation off the table after Sept. 30th, they only have the 2018 instructions at their disposal... and can't use them for this if they want to do tax reform. It's quite the conundrum. 

Well Hatch is already making noise about there being a "chance" they try to do both through reconciliation in fy2018 but acknowledges it will be hard.

But everyone - this is amazing news but do not get complacent. Keep calling until the clock runs out.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 13:47:02 GMT -5 mskitkat said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:44:27 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

They also can't do this in regular order, which makes the above very difficult. And with the 2017 reconciliation off the table after Sept. 30th, they only have the 2018 instructions at their disposal... and can't use them for this if they want to do tax reform. It's quite the conundrum. 

Can you please explain that 2018 and tax reform bit again for what is probably the millionth time?

Watered down version: So each year Congress can pass a budget reconciliation act, which is basically just a bill that follows certain instructions about how much money they can spend and save (has to be budget neutral) within the bill. And then it can sort of take whatever topical form it needs to to get to those savings and spending goals, and the House and Senate create their own versions of the bill (and then reconcile them) or occasionally both work from the same bill when they have agreement.

This process has become so significant because in reconciliation the Senate follows different rules than normal. There is no filibuster, which means that only a simple majority is needed to pass a Senate reconciliation bill, compared to the 60 votes needed to pass something that has been filibustered in regular order.

In 2017, they chose to set the reconciliation instruction with spending and savings goals that corresponded with health care reform, specifically ACA repeal. That's how this whole AHCA/ACA repeal bill has been moving this whole year but they haven't managed to pass anything yet. Now the 2017 reconciliation instructions are expiring on Sept. 30th (end of the fiscal year) and they lose the opportunity to use those instructions on health care reform. Technically they could use the 2018 reconciliation bill to revive health care for another year, but it doesn't seem likely they'll do that because Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders REALLY want to pass a tax reform bill that will cut taxes for the wealthy, and they don't have the votes to pass it in regular order, so they need a reconciliation bill to move it. If they use it up on health care, that opportunity goes away. 

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 14:05:28 GMT -5 biscoffcookies said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:44:27 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

They also can't do this in regular order, which makes the above very difficult. And with the 2017 reconciliation off the table after Sept. 30th, they only have the 2018 instructions at their disposal... and can't use them for this if they want to do tax reform. It's quite the conundrum. 

Well Hatch is already making noise about there being a "chance" they try to do both through reconciliation in fy2018 but acknowledges it will be hard.

But everyone - this is amazing news but do not get complacent. Keep calling until the clock runs out.

This would be so damn near impossible to keep budget neutral it almost makes me laugh. Or cry. But seriously, it would be even more absurd than this is, and I think it would be a non-starter. 

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 13:23:06 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:16:40 GMT -5 isabel said:

H just texted me this. Yesss!

I read this as "HE just texted me this" and I was like "well well, look who has famous people on speed dial??"

lol.

I got it as a (group, lol) text from his DC health LA 5 mins before it was announced, does that count?  

[al320]

[macmars45]

I'll believe it when it happens. McCain gets no pats on the back as he is just as likely to stab us all in the back while receiving great healthcare paid by tax payers. Not too many days ago he said he'd vote the opposite just like his governor.

[marshmallowhands]

Sept 22, 2017 14:36:53 GMT -5 al320 said:

OMG this has me in a fit of giggles. Best!

[al320]

Sept 22, 2017 14:52:59 GMT -5 marshmallowhands said:

Sept 22, 2017 14:36:53 GMT -5 al320 said:

OMG this has me in a fit of giggles. Best!

This is one of the best twitters lol

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 14:49:02 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I'll believe it when it happens. McCain gets no pats on the back as he is just as likely to stab us all in the back while receiving great healthcare paid by tax payers. Not too many days ago he said he'd vote the opposite just like his governor.

(I hate McCain, so I can't believe I am saying this, but...) McCain's previous statements on this version of the bill have not been quite that definitive though. When he thought Ducey would be against, he pinned his support as contingent on that, but he backed off of it after Ducey came out for. All his statements to date except today have been pretty wishy-washy, so I don't think it's quite fair to say he's flip flopping on his position. 

[anlo]

Any chance that with McCain saying he's a no, other Rs might defect? A little wiggle room would do a lot for my nerves right now. Lie to me if you have to.

[compassrose]

Sept 22, 2017 15:07:07 GMT -5 anlo said:

Any chance that with McCain saying he's a no, other Rs might defect? A little wiggle room would do a lot for my nerves right now. Lie to me if you have to.

Oh please let this be true.
I am so pleasantly surprised by McCain today.

[sugarbear]

Where does Murkowski stand? I'm in the woods with 45 8th graders and limited cell service, but last I heard, Alaska was basically being bribed by being offered an "out" if she voted yes.

[Jalapeñomel]

Sept 22, 2017 13:23:06 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

Sept 22, 2017 13:16:40 GMT -5 isabel said:

H just texted me this. Yesss!

I read this as "HE just texted me this" and I was like "well well, look who has famous people on speed dial??"

lol.

Me too! Lol

[cous0226]

Mike Pence call your office.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 15:11:36 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Where does Murkowski stand? I'm in the woods with 45 8th graders and limited cell service, but last I heard, Alaska was basically being bribed by being offered an "out" if she voted yes.

She doesn't seem to be biting. She has made some very strong statements about not accepting any "bribe" that is Alaska specific, so hopefully that sticks. And other Senators (and House members) are not pleased that they're not getting their own sweet deal. I think it's a non-starter.

We're hearing now that it's possible they will shift away from G-C and try to cobble together a new proposal by the end of next week, but I don't know if that will pan out, or how much of a threat it will pose if they do go down that road. So many questions. 

[seeyalater52]

Sept 22, 2017 15:41:26 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Sept 22, 2017 15:40:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

She doesn't seem to be biting. She has made some very strong statements about not accepting any "bribe" that is Alaska specific, so hopefully that sticks. And other Senators (and House members) are not pleased that they're not getting their own sweet deal. I think it's a non-starter.

We're hearing now that it's possible they will shift away from G-C and try to cobble together a new proposal by the end of next week, but I don't know if that will pan out, or how much of a threat it will pose if they do go down that road. So many questions. 

Why are they such losers?

I really wish I knew. I'm taking it personally. I just need more than 2 weeks of peace and quiet.