September 15th, 2009
04:40 PM ET
10 years ago

Gang of Six Republicans say no to Baucus bill - for now

WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN has learned that – barring some unforeseen change - Democratic Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus will unveil a health care proposal Wednesday without the support of the three Republican senators - Charles Grassley, Mike Enzi and Olympia Snowe - he's been negotiating with for months.

Senate Republican sources close to Grassley and Enzi - and in the case of Olympia Snowe, the senator herself - tell CNN they still have concerns that have not been addressed that range from taxpayer funding of abortion, to illegal immigration, to affordability of the health coverage this new law would require.

GOP sources to all these senators emphasize and insist that they aren't walking away yet - they will keep talking, keep negotiating and next week when votes start in the Finance committee they will offer amendments to address their concerns.

But Wednesday, when the Senate Finance Chairman unveils his bill, all indications are he will be doing it without the support of Republicans he has spent hundreds of hours negotiating with.

Meanwhile, Baucus is facing a defection from within his own party Tuesday. "I want to make clear that in its current form I cannot put my support behind the Finance bill - it will not have my vote," West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller said Tuesday.

Rockefeller believes Baucus has abandoned too many traditionally Democratic principles to accommodate the Republicans and moderate Democrats.

Among other things, Rockefeller thinks a health care overhaul should include a public option. The Baucus plan does not, instead calling for for non profit cooperatives.

Filed under: Health care • Senate
soundoff (85 Responses)
  1. VGal

    Well, if the Republicans won't compromise at all – then they deserve to be shut out. The majority of Americans have voted for Democrats. The Dems need to get their house in order.

    If the Dems fail to pass a bill, they will pay a price. It does not matter if the Repubs are on board or not.

  2. vic bullard

    The GOP will destroy this country just to make their lobby buddies rich. America, kick these lousey jerks out.

    September 15, 2009 06:52 pm at 6:52 pm |
  3. VGal

    And actually Rob, the majority of Americans voted for Dems and their philosophies. Not just President, but in the House and Senate too. We voted out the party of NO and we want to see action on what WE VOTED FOR. Just b/c we don't scream as loud as the republicans and just because we find civil ways to voice our opinions, does NOT mean that we should not be HEARD.

  4. marc from mississippi

    please obama and pelosi, stop the lies and have lied at every turn in this,,,joe wilson was exactly right,,after his comment, you now claim to be correcting the discrepancy with enforcement...everybody wants what is best for the country, but the ruling party and president have on their ideological blinders...if you can insure all of the uninsured now from the government trough, and you can pay for it by cutting waste,,,,prove it,,,cut the waste first,, and then apply the savings to the presently uninsured...

  5. Liberals are Hypocrites

    Why should Republicans go along with programs that stink! I applaud them for NOT doing so. They were elected by millions of other Republicans, who demand that their views be represented.

    Sorry if you don't like it, Libs - but, frankly, we don't care.

  6. Don in Albuquerque

    No public option will lead to a democratic massacre. I will vote against any name that says incumbent. Local, state, and fedral. And that includes Obama. Wall Street, Credit Card Companies, and the Banks, even after being saved by tax payers stand back thumbing their collective noses, and laughing at the POTUS. Does he believe the insurance companies will do differently? Take off the gloves or get out and let someone in who has the stomach for a real fight.

    And a vote for any Repub? HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    September 15, 2009 07:41 pm at 7:41 pm |
  7. No healthcare bill.......

    no healthcare big gov' deficit more ObamaCare (he's not your father)........

    September 15, 2009 07:48 pm at 7:48 pm |
  8. Mark

    The republicans must stand firm. That's what the people want...

    September 15, 2009 07:50 pm at 7:50 pm |
  9. Mike, Syracuse, NY

    Sounds like the Republicans are merely asking that the promises Obozo made in his speech (no illegal immigrants, no abortion funding) get written in the bill. Why is that a problem Demobots?

    September 15, 2009 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |
  10. PaulC

    Can anyone be really surprised?
    The Republicans have no intention of supporting any proposal, no matter how worthy or needed, put forth by Obama. They are single mindedly intent on ensuring that Obama fails at any cost.
    That is their focus and they will pursue a ruthless divide and conquer strategy. You must admire their dedication............
    Obama and the Democrats must come to the realization that they are, for all practical purposes, alone and the sole objective of the Republicans is to obstruct any and all proposals.

    September 15, 2009 07:52 pm at 7:52 pm |
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