Senate Health Bill Takes 34 Hours to Read

November 19, 2009

The following is from the Washington Times:

The 2,074-page Senate health care bill would take 34 hours to read cover to cover — and that’s just what Sen. Tom Coburn wants done on the Senate floor.

The Oklahoma Republican has threatened to invoke parliamentary rules to force the Senate clerk (or more likely, a team of clerks) to read the massive bill before the full Senate begins formal debate on the legislation.

The move is strictly according to Senate rules, which say any senator can demand a bill be read in its entirety before debate begins….

What’s even more interesting is that Senate Rule XIV (paragraph 2) states that every bill and joint resolution “shall receive three readings prior to its passage.”

Read the rest, here

It would be very cool if  this reading actually took place and even better if all three readings took place. It would pretty much guarantee that this bill would die a much deserved death.

In case you’re wondering I’m oppossed to all flavors of the Dem health care “reform” bills working their ways through Congress. The US has the best health care system in the world (even with whatever warts it may have) and the bills do nothing to address the real problems.

Their version of reform is kinda like this: “Hmmm… you have a small cut on your ankle… Ok, we’ll fix it by taking off the leg at the knee….”

Or better yet: You’re mugged, thrown into a dark room, blindfolded, strapped to a table, face down, clothes removed, and now the negotiations start…  How about we skip that entire scenario and start negotiating from zero?

Also, beyond the fact that it’s an awful bill is the fact that we can’t begin to pay for it, especially with the current economic situation. The estimated costs are, in my opinion, vastly underestimated. Look at all other Gov health care programs, state and federal, in the US or elsewhere, and you’ll see that the costs rapidly overwhelm the estimates and I see nothing to indicate that this bill will be any different. Especially given the pork and favors that will be included in any bill that makes it to the floor.

Tax the rich to pay for it? They pay pretty much all of the taxes in the country already. Adding to that burden, when they’re already over-taxed and when there are far superior alternatives, is just wrong.

So I’ll probably be throwing in a few posts on the subject. Feel free to comment.

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