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Grassley: 'We're being pushed aside'

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
09/15/09 8:00 PM EDT

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa

Sen. Charles Grassley, one of three Republicans negotiating with Democrats on a Senate Finance Committee health care bill, tonight issued a statement saying he and his fellow Republicans have been "pushed aside" by the Democratic leadership in the rush to pass national health care. "We're operating under an artificial deadline set by the Democratic leadership and the White House," Grassley said. "I'm disappointed because it looks like we're being pushed aside by the Democratic leadership so the Senate can move forward on a bill that, up to this point, does not meet the shared goals for affordable, accessible health coverage that we set forth when this process began." Grassley pointed to a number of major problems -- cost, mandates, medical liability reform, abortion, illegal aliens -- that have still not been resolved in the committee's negotiations.

"On top of all that, there’s no guarantee that a Finance Committee bill, even if it becomes bipartisan, will stay that way after it leaves the committee," Grassley said. "An overriding issue for some time has been the fact that members of the Democratic leadership haven't made a commitment to back a broad bipartisan bill through the entire process."

Legislation that affects every American, as a national health care bill would, "should have strong bipartisan support," Grassley said.

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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

goldenpres

Sep 15, 2009

Hey Chuck, get real! Did you really expect that they would craft a bipartisan bill? If you did, you are much stupider than you look or act, and that doesn't leave much room for being stupider.

Just keep it up, working with/trying to appease the enemy. We WILL retire you, so you do not have to whine anymore. You obviously do not the stomach, moxie, or the principles for a fight!

Cindi griffin

Sep 15, 2009

I have a different approach! Let's ask Alexandra Pelosi how she feels about her Mother's response to healthcare, ACORN, etc. We keep talking about our children's future. Well, Alexandra's child is the future. I would like to know how whe feels about her Mother

ddad01

Sep 15, 2009

Majoritarianism. All Democrats need is 50% 1 and they will enact anything they want. Just wait, the 60 vote Senate requirement for cloture will be gone when this bill hits the floor. Only Republican majorities have to abide by that rule, fool.

Cathyvv

Sep 15, 2009

Poor Chuck! Chuck, how about you sit down to the table with the true intent of negotiating and compromising to get a good bill! All I've heard or seen from you is moaning and groaning about what the Dems are doing to the GOP. GET OFF THE VICTIM EXPRESS and do your job. Then, and only then, will I respect what you have to say.

sf-415

Sep 16, 2009

"ATTENTION TAXPAYERS" Hold onto your wallets!!!!!!

ggordon

Sep 16, 2009

there have been many Republican proposals. Most aren't even read in committee, then the Dems complain about no help ideas on the other side of the aisle.
The Repubs have written whole bills - but the Dems won't have anything to do with opening up markets for competition, tort reform, - anything free market related. This is not about reform, it has always been about takeover.
Watch very closely how they reduce their numbers in the budgeting of any plans. UNFUNDED MANDATES TO THE STATES IN THE FORM OF SHIFTING EXPENSES TO MEDICAID WILL BE ONE OF THEIR TRICKS. iT WILL CAUSE BIG TAX INCREASES AT THE STATE LEVEL.
The Dems in Congress and Obama are slimy.

John Q

Sep 16, 2009

I love how Dems define "cooperation"....Just do what we want..that's what true bipartisanship is, right? What a joke.

Terry

Sep 16, 2009

Grassley is the kind of republican I truly despise. It’s all about the deal and not about principle. The public hates this bill. Step aside and let the dems hang themselves. Why does he insist on trying the wrestle the noose from their necks?

goldenpres

Sep 16, 2009

Grassley is typical of these people in congress who mistake being "elected" for being "anointed." He is so out of touch with reality that he doesn't recognize that we know he is not part of the solution, but part of the problem.

No matter what party designation these dopes wear, they all think they are "entitled" to keep going back to D.C., and that no one will ever find out how stupid and ineffectual they are.

They were all totally oblivious to 9/12. The won't be so oblivious after November 2010!

Sep 16, 2009

With the new plan coming forward; they do not have the support of Olympia Snowe which is a NO NO. She sees items right down the middle and can vote either way. All republicans and lots of Dems are not in favor of a Gov't run plan. But the Dems have enough votes to push it through in the House and the Senate. Whether you like it or not, a Gov't run plan is coming.

rookiewatcher

Sep 16, 2009

Under this brilliant new strategy of racism is it not racial discrimination against me should one of our Senators or Congresspersons of color bring into law a health care government plan, that is less than the one they keep by exempting themselves(page 114, line 22), and as a legal citizen and working taxpayer, I am paying for both? I do not about you but I am outraged! They drive a Lexus and dictate me a smart car? I guess Al Gore's jet(s) are one seaters.Sorry folks, we have no leadership.

Sep 16, 2009

Everyone, well most everyone voted Obama. I think he got something like 70% of majority votes? Well, you people voted him in, now deal with him! Under the new plan brought forward by Senator Baucus is that the middle class will be taxed and this bill is the one that will pass. It will place an additional 35 percent excise tax on insurance companies for those between $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families. OUCH.

Darren

Sep 16, 2009

Under the new plan brought forward by Baucus, it has been mentioned those in unions may be exempt from the new tax for the health care program! Now this is wrong. But Obama is out to protect the unions and ensure they are not taxed.

carlos varner

Sep 16, 2009

Public option never died. Without it, they don't have anything.

KansasGirl

Sep 16, 2009

Grassley, we're not being pushed aside. What makes you think we were ever wanted?

KansasGirl

Sep 16, 2009

Furthermore Grassley, they control the Senate, the House, and the Whitehouse. So I ask you? What aren't they passing this bill?

NJ Jack

Sep 16, 2009

This is ridiculous how naive the Americans are. When I was 10 growing up in the former Soviet Union I could tell a liar! We are just too nice and try to give everyone a chance (and sometimes two or three). Well, one of these days we may wake up and realize that we have given them too many chances and there is no going back! We all need to stand up to this blatant attempt at Communism conversion and fight the Democrats (they are Democrats in NAME ONLY!!!) tooth and nail. Do not give them an inch, because they are so close to stealing the whole country!

Robert

Sep 16, 2009

Senator Grassley, please continue the fight. The Obama administration is like the schoolyard bully. If you don't fight back, they will be embolden to accelerate America's path to oblivion.

R Coombes

Sep 16, 2009

Just another fine example of a government stooge that doesn't get it. This whole "bipartisan" talk is nothing but a bunch of hooey. If Grassley or any of the Republican leadership had any brains, they would abandon this so-called "bipartisan" approach and start screaming at the top of their lungs that if "this bill passes, it will be a huge tax increase on the American people" which it is and back it up with facts...start getting out there and calling Obama just exactly what he is...a liar who is hellbent on destroying this country. This isn't too hard to figure out. Unemployment is nearly 10%, the economy is headed downward every day and all you can do is complain that they're not allowing you to play in the same sand box? Grow up and grow a pair!

Will Radle

Sep 17, 2009

Quick Note: Rookiewatcher on Sept 16 wrote that Obama got 70% of votes. Actually he got like 52%.

Fundamental flaw of all Congressional healthcare proposals: they maintain a fractured structure that drives up cost. If they were serious, they would be looking at lowering, or at least maintaining, cost. We already spend more on healthcare per person than any other nation. I have written a better plan. I offer solutions for an enduring nation.

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Grassley: 'We're being pushed aside'

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
09/15/09 8:00 PM EDT