I'm elated at the news that the House has passed the Senate bill into law. I'm absolutely astounded that they did that while passing a reconciliation fix bill which includes Student Loan Reform.
But forgive me if I'm a little troubled by something. The Senate bill passed the House by a margin of 219-212. But then the reconciliation bill passed 220-211. I was wondering on who that dem who switched was.
It was Rep. Steven Lynch of MA. Representative Lynch who has gone back and forth on his excuses on to why he shouldn't vote for the bill.
/Steven Lynch keeps making up excuses
Lynch’s announcement yesterday caused much head-scratching — not least because of one of the reasons he gave. He faulted the Senate bill for not letting states set up a public insurance plan for people who are required by the bill to get coverage. But last year it was Lynch’s failure to embrace a public option that caused labor leaders, formerly among his strongest backers, to deny him a chance to speak at their Labor Day breakfast.
Lynch also faults the Senate bill for the tax it places on high-cost ‘‘Cadillac’’ insurance policies, some of which are held by union members. But the corrective package would reduce that tax substantially and delay it until 2018. Lynch and other critics of the Cadillac tax would have ample time to find other ways to put downward pressure on costs and finance the subsidies that will help extend coverage to the 31 million people who lack it.
Representative Lynch who turned down Hillary Clinton's request to support the bill.
Hillary Clinton lobbies Lynch before HCR Vote
Rep Stephen Lynch (D-Mass) is still getting the full court press. He came off the House floor this afternoon to return a call from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
He sat on the balcony, just off the floor sporting Ray Bans sunglasses. Clinton told him to support the bill. He said he told her he's still a "no", but thought it wouldn't matter because he's hearing that Democrats are close to securing 216.
Representative Lynch who turned down AFL-CIO's request to support the bill and help middle class workers.
Lynch being lobbied by AFL-CIO
Representative Lynch who turned down several meetings with President Obama and VICKI KENNEDY then shortly before meeting with him blasted the legislation.
Lynch will vote no after speaking with Vicki Kennedy
Mr. Lynch, you've made it INCREDIBLY more difficult on yourself by supporting the legislation in one way and then voting against it on the other. You're a flip flopper by definition. I wish you good luck as you try to explain that away. You're going to have a challenge on your left and on your right. You've forgotten why you became a democrat, and worst of all, you're going to have no one supporting you.
Best of luck to you and I hope to see you kicked out of office.