Kent Conrad

Waffling Democrats' Health Care Hypocrisy

Peter Dreier | Posted 12.02.2009 | Politics


Peter Dreier

After years of feeding at the health insurance industry trough, it's no wonder these conservative Democratic senators oppose a public option plan to compete for consumers.

Deficit Commission Gains Traction In White House

Posted 11.25.2009 | Politics


A bi-partisan commission that would tame the federal deficit by limiting cost-cutting decisions to a select number of lawmakers is gaining traction in...

How to Abort the Recovery

Robert Kuttner | Posted 11.02.2009 | Politics


Robert Kuttner

As unemployment continues to rise, deficit hawks are upping their efforts to use the economic crisis as a pretext for gutting basic social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Jason Linkins

Senators Who Could And/Or Will Screw Up Health Care Reform

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 10.27.2009 | Politics


Harry Reid boldly announced the bill would contain something public option-esque. But will a reform bill that contains as limited a measure as the opt-out plan survive the Senate?

Quigley Ready To Break Ranks With Party Over Dodd, Conrad Subpoenas

Huffington Post | Tim Taliaferro | Posted 10.23.2009 | Chicago


Seniority, party loyalty and congressional etiquette don't seem to get in the way of Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.). The freshman lawmaker is ready to br...

Who Should Pay for Health Insurance Reform?

Peter Dreier | Posted 10.16.2009 | Politics


Peter Dreier

"Much has been given" to those Americans at the pinnacle of wealth. So it is only fair that "much will be required" when it comes to helping pay for health insurance for those who can't otherwise afford it.

Health Insurance Industry Exposes Its Insatiable Greed

Peter Dreier | Posted 10.13.2009 | Politics


Peter Dreier

After pretending for months to cooperate with the Obama administration and Democrats to secure a reasonable health reform bill, the industry's CEOs and lobbyists on Sunday double-crossed their one-time political allies.

Sam Stein

North Dakota Dems Pass Resolution Backing Public Plan, Alert Sen. Conrad

HuffingtonPost.com | Sam Stein | Posted 10.06.2009 | Politics


In a move that seems designed to push Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) on health care reform, the North Dakota Democratic Party voted two weeks ago to make the...

Wall Street Journal Reporter Conceals Facts About The Real Countrywide Mortgage Scandal

David Fiderer | Posted 11.29.2009 | Media


David Fiderer

Just like the birthers, who refuse to acknowledge Obama's birth certificate, Rep. Darrell Issa and Wall Street Journal reporter Emshwiller refuse to acknowledge the mountain of evidence that the Countrywide VIP "scandal" has been thoroughly discredited.

The Public Option Lives On

Robert Reich | Posted 11.28.2009 | Politics


Robert Reich

The public option lives on. It's still in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension bill. It still headlines the House bills, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she's still committed to it.

Countrywide Phone Calls: Lawmakers Want More Information About VIP Program That Lent To Politicians

Wall Street Journal | JOHN R. EMSHWILLER | Posted 11.27.2009 | Politics


The discovery that Countrywide Financial Corp. recorded phone conversations with borrowers in a controversial mortgage program that included public of...

The Public Option Fight Gets Engaged in Public for the First Time Next Week

Mike Lux | Posted 11.25.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

With polling numbers on the public option, and an activist base on fire on this issue, it is going to be more and more difficult for Democrats to vote against it when they have to vote in the light of day.

Desperately Seeking Snowe

Cenk Uygur | Posted 11.23.2009 | Politics


Cenk Uygur

While we've all been having an earnest debate about what should go in the bill and how it should get done, the real fight in Washington has been over who's going to get the corporate money.

The Gang of Six: An Epic of Futility

Rick Horowitz | Posted 11.17.2009 | Politics


Rick Horowitz

The Baucus Caucus came to town one morning in the early spring, / They said, "You want a health-care bill? Don't sweat -- we'll handle ev'rything!"

Mad Max Baucus (D-BC/BS) and his Gang of Styx

Don Parker | Posted 11.17.2009 | Politics


Don Parker

The Gang of Styx represent 8.4 million Americans, but they have been given more dollars from the health care industry than they have constituents.

Jason Linkins

Baucus And Conrad's Miserable Health Care Reform Day [UPDATE]

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 11.16.2009 | Politics


[Updated, below] So, for weeks and weeks, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus has held the health care reform debate hostage as he hemmed and h...

With a Health Care Plan This Insane, Who Needs Wingnuts?

Bob Cesca | Posted 11.16.2009 | Politics


Bob Cesca

Baucus' entire goal was to construct a bipartisan plan. Mission accomplished. Insofar as both parties hate it. He tailored his plan to appeal to the Republicans who, as it turns out, don't support the plan anyway.

Reid Confident On Eve Of Health Bill's Debut

The Hill | J. Taylor Rushing | Posted 11.15.2009 | Politics


A day before delivery of the Senate's long-awaited healthcare bill, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday struck a cautiously optimistic tone...

Sen. Rockefeller Won't Vote For Baucus Health Bill

Huffington Post | Posted 11.15.2009 | Politics


Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller slammed Senator Max Baucus' health care bill, saying his vote would not be forthco...

Ryan Grim

'Gang Of Six' Moving Goal Posts On Health Care Costs

HuffingtonPost.com | Ryan Grim | Posted 11.15.2009 | Politics


President Obama promised last week, in his address to Congress, that he wouldn't sign any health care reform bill that added "one dime to the deficit,...

Baucus, Conrad Cave To Joe Wilson On Health Care Bill

AP | ERICA WERNER | Posted 11.11.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — The White House strengthened its stand against health care coverage for illegal immigrants Friday, and a pivotal Senate committee l...

Gang Of Six: Who Votes With Whom?

Sunlight Foundation. | Sunlight Foundation | Posted 11.10.2009 | Home


Since the end of July the Senate Finance Committee has been the focus of health care reform discussions. More specifically, the bipartisan “Gang...

"Go Out And Make Me Do It"

Peter Dreier | Posted 11.09.2009 | Politics


Peter Dreier

Having a president who inspires people to act collectively on their own behalf can make a difference. It gives people hope and courage to defy obstacles.

Baucus Co-Op Plan "Authored" By Ex-Insurance Industry VP

Campaign Silo | Jane Hamsher | Posted 11.09.2009 | Politics


When Max Baucus circulated his draft plan earlier this week, the PDF documentation page (image) indicates that the "author" was ex-Wellpoint VP Liz Fo...

Gang Of Six Back In Action: Giving Bipartisanship One More Try

POLITICO | Carrie Budoff Brown | Posted 10.19.2009 | Politics


Most top Democrats, including senior White House advisers, may no longer expect a health care deal out of the bipartisan "Group of Six," but the senat...