Health Care Duel

" Hours away tomorrow night the Senate will vote on whether senator -- health care bill goes to the floor. Senate minority whip Jon Kyle went on the record."

" Senator nice to see -- thank you Greta and I -- the LBJ room needed to happen didn't want afternoons it's one of the rooms the Democrats Houston needed. Now with slightly fewer numbers Republicans meeting here that's data -- tomorrow is the big day is enough."

" Tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock we will proceed to vote on the cloture petition to take up the health care bill -- health care bill. That means that -- sixty senators vote to take the -- when we can begin debate and amendment process after Thanksgiving."

" But for offensive purposes this is being vote because this is the sixteen person vote for the Democrats have to get -- get 68 steps here. And if they get sixty tomorrow -- really fifth -- to vote actually with a velvet."

" well and as importantly he's senator that votes for this bill passed -- no. But there's a 97%. Chance that this bill ends up passing. And for those senators on the other side of said well I don't like this part of that part of it unless they've got sixty votes to change it. They're vote to proceed to this bill is tantamount to a vote for the bill because they're not going to change it."

" I -- how the sausage is made here com. It is. -- it is apparent early -- appears that the -- he goes right now are senator Landrieu and senator blanch Lincoln. For a -- you -- does both of those -- that he still hasn't secured. What I understood -- what I've heard what I Brett and that's an LN lender has just secured a hundred million dollars for her district. It certainly appears it hasn't done all time. That this is -- is -- by senator Reid to get her."

" One of the ways the leader we'll get recalcitrant senators in the -- in the House of Representatives for the speakers well. To support their position is to favor of them -- something a little extra to sweeten pot. Perhaps not really fair for one senator to get something -- none of the other senators get but in this bill. There's a provision that if you are from a state that seven years ago was declared a disaster area that you. Don't have to take the same kind of Medicaid hit. -- all of the other states do in other words your state isn't going to have to come up with all the little -- all the other states are states are already broke. To pay for more Medicaid to -- patients now what state would that be. It happens to be Louisiana because seven years ago. Where the hurricane -- they were declared a disaster area so. Instead of just saying for senator so and -- state. Really give her some extra money. It has to be a general provision and therefore it describes the circumstance under which firstly his favored."

" It looks in the second go -- certain nuances pages explaining to build them that is -- that's a hundred million us put on the table for her. Constituents and her -- is so important. -- end here and frankly it's a tough position to be a bigot is a hundred million dollars for the district that really needs it right -- since it's not -- I'm."

" Each one of us could make the argument that there are special circumstances for our state. That should enable us to some additional benefit -- in seven years ago he had a disaster declared in your state that's that's an important thing. My state of Arizona is hurt badly we have a very high unemployment rate because home construction and tourism -- two of our big things and of course both are. Really in the tank right now each state could make some kind of -- case why you should get something extra. But for those senators who hold out until the last. Sometimes they can extract a little extra in order to get their vote now I'm not contending that anybody in particular did that. I would like to do those make the point that. Well nationwide. This health care plan is opposed approximately sixty to forty by most public opinion surveys. And one of the key states where there -- key Democrats more moderate Democrats. It is opposed by at least two to one and in some cases more than 21 to the real question is. Are these senators respecting the wishes of their constituents who strongly oppose it. Or are they bowing to the dictates of their leader Harry Reid -- so."

" You -- this how they're doing and it is through those things happening and I can understand and all of -- America's interest as well as the needs of your constituents put you in the minority party -- don't have the leverage you have the hold up. Now what in the world could entice senator -- in this -- she is the last holdout but that sixtieth. Did -- senator -- got a 100 and I am -- that virus senator landed fast and let it out. I -- a 101."

" Well -- I'm not going to speculate on that because I wouldn't want to characterize the motives of any of my colleagues quite simply take -- to a slightly higher level. All forty Republicans know this is a bad bill we are respecting the wishes of our constituents. I'm gonna say no we don't want to start debate on this would rather go back and start over. The question is whether leader Reid has sold sixty of these Democrats who -- but if he gets all this Democrats. Then we start work on the bill. I just ask my colleagues from more moderate states whose constituents has already told them better than 21. Don't do this but they respect the wishes -- of their constituents. Not simply that dictates of their leader."

" Connecticut company is someone who who comes up from -- state that is very much opposed to this bill. And what -- reelection soon and votes for a knowing that this could be a sudden death now confident person political group that is a possibility it is."

" And what obviously will be argued if you remember John Kerry and his famous debate when he said well I voted for it before I voted against it. That's what these people will be doing. They say well at the end -- vote against well they'll have to explain why they voted for it enabling the process to move forward. Before they voted against it when it is probably going to be easier for -- in the past."

" And it gratuitous -- big big bonus to. And I actually think it's a tough position for Lutz triple a senators didn't it didn't really do want to help their constituents so much and question -- Atlanta when the when the hottest sleep a little bit short I always --"

" That -- years difference in your constituents your best judgment you do what you think is right. But also when it's overwhelmingly clear what they think. You should give that a great deal of consideration. Any chance you -- appeal often Democrat Buckeyes did 59. Well you've just spoken. Again I won't mention names but some Democrats whose constituents don't like this bill. And so there's always a possibility that they decide to follow their constituents rather than their their leader."