We have a flu problem. We don't have a Surgeon General.

[Are_grits_groceries]

A GOP stall on all Health and Human Services nominees has left the department without a surgeon general during a period of a global flu pandemic, prompting the HHS secretary to call for Senate action.

Regina Benjamin, the surgeon general nominee, "is ready to be voted on in the Senate, and we would just strongly urge the United States Senate" to act, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during an MSNBC interview Friday in which she discussed the department's response to the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Benjamin was unanimously approved by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Oct. 7, but Senate Republicans are holding up all HHS nominees over a so-called gag order on insurance companies that have been critical of Democratic efforts to reform health care.

At issue is an investigation of insurance companies by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a division of the HHS, which announced the probe last month after a letter surfaced from Humana to seniors critical of the Senate Finance Committee's health care bill.
http://theygaveusarepublic.com/diary/4042/sonofabitch

I hope all those SOBs get sneezed on.........

[annabanana]

1. This is disgusting. .It appears that Republicans want to KILL us.

How the hell do they expect to get all that cheap labor if they do that?

[marshall]

2. How can Republicans hold up anything?

Knock 'em out of the way. We have the numbers now. The only way they can hold something up is if some Democrats get too weak kneed to get tough and forget about so-called bi-partisanship.

[corkhead]

3. You answered your own question. nt

:(

[marshall]

5. Then it's not exactly a GOP stall

Labeling it what it is will apply the pressure where it is needed.

[leanderj]

4. A minority of 40 has veto power? Change the rules and move them to the basement

This gentleman crap in the Senate is so stupid.