Blog - Congress Links

With a House vote on the Senate health care bill (H.R.3590) expected by Friday or Saturday, much of this week will be consumed by whipping up votes. Despite media reports of liberal dissent, it’s surprising how quickly Democratic leaders and many of the pillars of the Democratic coalition have lined up to get this bill passed. Here’s more on those efforts and a few other articles and blog posts of note today.

• Nancy Pelosi [D, CA-8] and Harry Reid [D, NV] are simultaneously plotting a path to a vote and whipping their members in support of the bill. (Roll Call)
• President Obama has begun the process of personally summoning potential “no” votes to one-on-one meetings to try and convince them to vote “yes.” (The Plum Line)
• Liberal grassroots organization MoveOn.org is raising money to run this heavy-handed ad urging lawmakers to be “on the right side of history” and vote for the bill. (Time)
• Andy Stern, president of the powerful Service Employees International Union, is threatening to run primary campaigns against Democrats who vote to sink the bill. (The New York Times)
• Of course, business leaders are also launching a multi-million dollar ad campaign to try and sink the bill. (Talking Points Memo)
• A Republican operative pens a very personal essay explaining why he wants to see the Democratic health care plan become law. (FrumForum)
• Former House Republican and current Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood pens an op-ed explaining why he wants to see the health care plan pass. (The Chicago Tribune)