Another Reason We Will Win!

Last night I had planned to leave the office early to read and get a little extra sleep before the big health care day.  I am reading Fighting Bob La Follette’s biography, at the suggestion of Fighting Dave Obey, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.   

Around 10:30, my phone rings.  “Are you available to talk to the Speaker?”   Of course!  There is a long pause.  And then an even longer pause.  Our Speaker is working the phones at 10:30 at night, and I suspect I’m not going to be the last call. 

An apology that it’s taking so long. 

Speaker Pelosi comes on, apologizing to me for calling so late!

While she comes to the point of her call, it is done in a thoughtful and gracious manner, as if she has all the time in the world to discuss the matter.  Luckily, by absolute chance, the last item I had worked with before leaving the office was just what she wished to discuss – health reform.  I feel like a fourth grader proudly racing through the times table at the front of the class, or more accurately, being called on in law school  to explain a case on one of those rare occasions where I had actually briefed it the day before.  I feel a mixture of pride and relief.

The Speaker continues, and I am compelled to ask if there is any other way I can help in her efforts.  She responds with three suggestions that are appropriate to my skill set.  She concludes on a positive and gracious note and is quickly off the line to the next of, what I imagine is an endless list of calls and meetings.  As she moves onto her next assignment, I am brought back to the present and the historic day ahead.

I am thinking about the stunning gap between the image of the sad screamers on the Mall during the week, with the strangest and cruelest depictions with harsh words and how it contrasts with the leadership I have seen exhibited in this House.  Despite the most intense pressure ever inflicted on a person in leadership and her office, and with dire national circumstances, the Speaker has lead with determination. 

Much has been made of our new President inheriting the most difficult set of circumstance of, perhaps, any president in history; two wars, an economy in freefall handed off to him and 12 consecutive months of job losses.  What is not appreciated is that those same set of circumstance that face our President are also Speaker Pelosi’s set of challenges.

She has the task of managing the House of Representatives, the cornerstone of legislative activity, the People’s House.   The Senate remains a mystery, even to the Senator’s themselves due to the impact of special interests wildly magnified, the role of a handful of politicians representing a tiny percentage of America, and greatly exaggerated by rule, convention and the structure. 

And, for the first time in modern history, Speaker Pelosi has assumed her position with a complete collapse of responsible Republican participation.   John Boehner famously declared last winter, shortly after the House geared up for operations, that since they couldn’t impose their will and get their way, it was decided that they were not going to be legislators; they were going to be communicators.   They have communicated, in the most inflammatory and unproductive manner.  Despite the personal attacks and the pressure, the Speaker continues to have much more favorable rating than Mr. Boehner.  Despite the fact that some of her negatives are from the other side of the spectrum by those who wish that she would have been more aggressive and more dramatic in her approach to health reform, she continues to move this country forward.

We have begun what may be a long day or a long weekend to take one of the most important steps in healthcare and government action in history, probably more meaningful than the decision to have government organized and paid-for health care for our seniors or, 44 years ago, government health care for our veterans.  This may be even more critical. 

It’s time for reform.   Let’s get this done.  Millions of people have no health insurance and are suffering. The federal budget will be bankrupt if we don’t modernize Medicare.   Our families are strugging in these difficult economic times, which means more and more will lose their increasingly inadequate and expensive insurance if we don’t act.

I began this day feeling encouraged and optimistic; encouraged because this year we have put together the most comprehensive health reform in history, despite the pressures. Optimistic because amongst all the leaders that I have been able to work with who have invested so much in this process, there is a Speaker who is tireless, focused, idealistic and pragmatic and is committed to do whatever is humanly possible – and maybe some things that aren’t – to deliver for the American people.

 

Follow Rep. Earl Blumenauer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/repblumenauer

Comments

[DirectProf]

Interesting post, Mr. Congressman. Thank you so much for it and for your work on this bill. The *majority* of the American people thank you.

[OneLiberalLady]

Mr. Blumenauer: thank you for your vote and your leadership on healthcare reform. And a very big thanks for writing such an eloquent and inspiring article' and pointing out the tireless and effective efforts of Speaker Pelosi.
When I watched the celebration after the vote Saturday night it was close to 10 pm Pacific Time and I was laying in bed. But there was Ms. Pelosi on the screen, fresh as a daisy; poised, articulate and in an organized and methodical way graciously thanking everyone who helped with the passage of the bill. Just magnificent. My respect for her grows everyday and the details you provided about her working the phones so late etc just adds to my admiration. What a woman!

[swabby01]

i believe ms pelosi is a hard worker and worthy of having that recognized. BUT, i have absolutely no faith in any of the folks running the show now. for as much 'good' as she does she still plays the good ole boys game; she doesn't change it. ethics is what i am looking for. until there are publically funded elections there is no hope. no matter what crap they pass for health care, as a gay veteran in need of long term mental health care i can bet there won't be anything passed to help me. i go to a good va but i have been going for 2 years and still cannot get assigned a STUDENT INTERN as my mental health counselor. obama is fine with some citizens being less than equal so that the hysterical conservatives and religious don't have to face their own discomfort with people they don't understand. incumbunt democrats aren't willing to risk their jobs for ethical stands. we risk our lives and all the democrats can think of is getting reelected. sorry, the atm is closed and no one will get any of my money unless they run on ethics. my money is safe. go ahead and be excited by ms pelosi's late night call. i'm sure you will throw the folks that everyone is so happy to judge as 'less than worthy' under the bus the next time a compromise is needed to get something passed.

[karela]

Thank you to the author for these comments. I am deeply proud of Speaker Pelosi. She has always presented herself with strength, determination, resiliency and grace. While presenting a caring and involved face to her caucus and to America, she has taken on the toughest job a Speaker has ever undertaken and she has succeeded where so many others have failed since Teddy Roosevelt first tried to get this job done. Other Speakers have been bombastic, rude, loud and aggressive. Speaker Pelosi has been none of those things and yet she got the job done----with grace----where so many others have failed. She told us that the CIA lied to her about waterboarding and both the right and the left attacked her viciously, but the truth did eventually come out and now we know that the liars were on the other side and that the Speaker told America the truth. We have in this Speaker a woman of distinction, integrity and competence and I am very grateful for her tireless efforts on our behalf. No man ever accomplished the things that the first female Speaker of the House has accomplished and she did it all with her feminine side still in tact because she saw it as an asset and not something to be hidden as a weakness. Brava!

[FebM]

She is the unsung hero, literally carrying the legistlation burden on her shoulders. The saddest bit is the reference to the GOP deliberate refusal to take part in governance. Even in high school debates are done with due diligence and an understanding we are all for the greater good. Our current opposition are driven by parochial and shallow 'hurt feelings' and 'want Obama to fail' regardless of the consequences on the nation.

History will be harsh on them.

[hermanmunster]

I think that the speaker and Sen. Reid have made Obama"s job so much more difficult. They take forever to produce a bill and no one really knows what effects it will have. The progressives had a great election and folks in the country were hoping for the President's success. Now, everybody, even most of us democrats, are fed up with the Congress and wish our leaders, besides Obama, had some sense of confidence and charisma.

Nobody has dealt with K street or Wall street. Wars are killing our young and destroying our economy. Our borders are totally porous. Our jails are full. Schools are falling apart and people are depressed.

Why is Ms. Pelosi smiling so happily. Let other leaders have a chance to make this work.

[Patriot86]

I think Speaker Pelosi is a fine American with a very tough job...she is a fabulour role model for my daughters and for my sons for that matter.

[Nsirxshun]

Nancy Pelosi has been an extraordinary speaker of the house. At NO time in American history has the minority party decided to defer their responsibilities to participate in governing at the legislative level. This in itself is a form of passive-aggressive treason. Republicans probably don't understand concepts like karma, but they will see its effects in 2010. Speaker Pelosi has shepherded through the lower house Obama's initiatives better than Obama has pushed for them. She has been a "Public Option" advocate while Obama has been waffling on the issue. She has stood up to all the slings and arrows with a smile on her face, and grace and charm. Time should indeed name her Woman of the Year for 2009. While the Senate, with its lobbyist money pockets will try to erode the House bill, at least we Americans know that this speaker did everything possible to get a bill through Congress to benefit the middle class. I applaud her.

[RhodaA]

It is so heartening to hear your voice and the appreciation you express for what has been accomplished. I become so dismayed by some on the left who are "in it for the fight; not the results."

Nancy Pelosi has always been a champion. And so are you.

[Jannsmoor]

Good work Representative Blumenauer. I agree Speaker Pelosi has been a stalwart to get a public option of some sort passed. I am glad you have her back. Speaking as one of your constituents, you have my vote and gratitude.

[Plurabelle06]

Thanks for getting the bill passed. let's hope the senate can continue to fight for what American's need and not what vocal minority fear. Our health insurance premiums went up, our out-of-poc­ket-maximu­m and deductible doubled, and our income was cut by $14,000 earlier this year when my husband's company cut wages. We are one hospitalization away from bankruptcy because any additional bills and lost wages would sink us even though we didn't buy more house than we can afford, didn't buy new cars, don't charge vacations (we don't even take vacations!), don't eat out, don't go to movies, and both have college educations. The Bush administration left us as a middle class, well educated family that can't afford to take the kids for Happy Meals on occasion. I truly hope the new administration can change that.

[dadw5boys]

Congressman Sir, Please take a look at the illegal use of Faith Based money to buy homes and apartment buildings in Washington D.C. the Churches are using to provide low rent spaces and apartments to Republican Congressmen and Free Apartments and meeting spcaes for Right Wing Lobbyist.

So many Americans need that Faith Based money spent in the Communities and to follow the spirit of the Government Grants. Too many of the Grants are being used for beach house they can rent out and for nearly private use of the wealthy church memebers.

This is money that can go for Health Care for the poor and the seriously ill.

[Alamar9]

I am Very Proud of Speaker Pelosi, Rep Earl Blumenauer and the rest of the team
who worked so long & hard to pass the beginning of real HealthCareReform, inspite of the No-Republican
Party, who turned it's back on AMERICANS, Today. A day of Infamy for the Republican Conservative
Party of NO.

[Cil]

Please don't forget to thank REP. CAO.......­..........

He voted yes in spite of all the pressure put on him by his fellow
Republicans, I am quite sure that he will experience even more
pressure, and ostracizing in the years to come, but this did
not stop him from voting with his conscience, in support of his
constituen­ts........­..........

[vernbvb]

What an inspiring commentary on the necessity of healthcare reform. The work you do requires diligence, tenacity and fortitude. I hope at the end of the day, we will see healthcare reform enacted into law.

[JM817]

I had not really thought about how difficult Nancy Pelosi's job is. Let us hope and pray that government in the U.S. does not remain the way it is now. If we can't win, we'll just take our marbles and go home, but we will do our best to convince everyone that you should not be allowed to play either. What an approach for a political party to take. I am amazed that so few people really understand the GOP game--we won't play, we hope America suffers and we hope that suffering Americans decide to let us play instead.

[Patriot86]

quite true.

[jacknab]

Currently living in the state of Oregon I am proud to have Congressman Blumenauer, as one of my Congressmen.

[niblik]

I grew up in Oregon and its neat to hear that it has a Congressman like Blumenauer!

I really like that we can hear from them directly sometimes on the Huff Post.

[ClaudiaL]

Bravo Congressman! Your writing reinforces what many of us already thought. Speaker Pelosi is a gracious lady who can be a tough cookie when it comes to standing up for Americans. Congrats!!

[ched]

Congratulations, Congressman Blumenauer, on your achievement this historic night. My hope is that the excitement of tonight's victory, and the realization of how close you all are to finally attaining health care for all, will re-energize you and the rest of Congress to get this thing over the goal line. Good luck, and remember that soon, tonight's brave vote will be not merely the electoral immunization you need, but also the crowning glory of your life's work. You will tell your kids and grandkids about what you did, and your grandkids will tell their grandkids with pride that you helped pave the way for all American's to live life with healthcare as a right, not a privilege.

[Boadicea]

What a refreshing commentary!!

Beware all armchair critics - this piece is riddled with true facts!

And may I thank Speaker Pelosi in these pages. I am moved to tears by my gratitude. We are one more step closer to me not having to watch young mothers crying in the staff room over not having health care for their babies. Thank you, all.