"DEMS 'ABSOLUTELY GIDDY' WITH CBO SCORE"

[Cha]

"..Following up on the last item, it's hard to overstate how pleased Democrats are with the new health care reform score from the Congressional Budget Office. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) conceded this morning, "We are absolutely giddy."

To briefly review, the final package costs $940 billion over 10 years. It reduces the deficit by $130 billion in the first decade, and $1.2 trillion in the second. The bill will bring coverage to 32 million Americans, while extending Medicare solvency by at least 9 years.

Democrats have begun calling the package the "biggest deficit reduction measure in 25 years," which happens to be true. It's also arguably the biggest cost control bill ever.

Also note, the final Democratic proposal lowers the deficit more than the previous versions. The Senate bill was projected to reduce the deficit by $118 billion in the first decade, and this one does even better.

Ezra added:

The bottom line is that this is the exact sort of score that Democrats wanted, and is in fact considerably better than some had come to expect they would receive. Coverage is better than the Senate bill, which will reassure liberals, and deficit reduction is better than either bill, which will reassure conservatives.

All the leadership and the White House have to do now is figure out of how to get the votes. For Democrats who claim to care principally about fiscal responsibility, it's very difficult to a firm stand against reform after a CBO score like this one.

But I still don't know exactly where Pelosi & Co. find the votes. Stupak and at least a few of his friends will chose betrayal, and so far, only one "no" vote from November -- Dennis Kucinich -- has been willing to switch sides. They have 72 hours, but they don't yet have the votes.

The CBO's report gives the effort a shot in the arm, but "giddiness" will have to wait until the votes materialize.

—Steve Benen 10:25 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (34)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Peacetrain]

1. Thank you Cha!! I just signed in to see if the CBO report was in

Come to the BOG before anywhere else

[Cha]

3. Lookin' Good! Peacetrain~

[quiet.american]

2. May I say that the fact that Dems ALWAYS have to woo our own frustrates the hell out of me.

Why would any Democrat sit on the fence now, with so much from a credible source to recommend this bill? Between the GOP sleeper cells in our ranks, and those who are scared witless they'll lose their seats if they vote for not only this bill, but any of our major legislation, it makes me wonder if the Democrats in Congress can ever get to the point where instead of apologizing for, and downplaying their efforts, they stand tall and proud and *eager* to cast their 'aye' votes.

It occurs to me that if the Dems are afraid to lose their seats over their vote, then what impact are they ever going to have in Congress if they're too afraid of their own shadow to cast a vote? What's the sense of them being there if they don't throw their shoulder in with their colleagues and get some legislation passed? Grrr! :grr:

But that aside, I'd like to congratulate the Dems who are fighting hard for this on knocking the CBO score out of the park! :fistbump:

[Cha]

4. It's pathetic and my blue dog is one who

isn't voting for it .. I just sent him a letter in an OFA form and quoted from this Steve Benen CBO Report.

[quiet.american]

5. Good for you, Cha. They so need to hear from their constituents.

:patriot: :kick:

[DFLforever]

8. HCR when it passes will do just that, make it possible

for the Dems to pass other significant legislation.

Imo disunity is the curse of the Democratic party and if they overcome it with this vote, pull in all factions of their coalition , it will be a great achievement.

I sometimes think the the President's bi-partisan spiel is aimed mainly at the Blue Dogs and Conservadems, giving them cover to support legislation their conservative or Repub districts wouldn't otherwise favor.

[Number23]

6. Yet another nail in the coffin of those who oppose this bill

"For Democrats who claim to care principally about fiscal responsibility, it's very difficult to a firm stand against reform after a CBO score like this one."

Exactly.

I've noticed the screaming around here has gotten more shrill, more hysterical in the last few days particularly as I think that many who have convinced themselves that this bill was created by Lucifer himself realize that its passage is looking more and more inevitable. The good news is that it does appear that the number of protesters has shrunk even if the ones that remain have gotten considerably louder.

[Cha]

7. Too many good respected

people are in favor of it..that leaves one to wonder about the anonymous interneters who are claiming such hysteria.:)

[grantcart]

9. Clyburn, 'giddy'

That guy is such a teddy bear.

He really has a touch of innocence that is rare.

Last time I was 'giddy'?

1968 and her name was Pam.