It's Call Lamar Alexander and Aggravate Him Time!

[Guest nokomom]

First, good ole Lamar's number: (202) 224-4944

I'm suggesting that we all call his office and tell him to get off his butt and make sure he fights for the Senate to listen to this bill read aloud, in its entirety.

Washington Times Health bill could get 34-hour reading in Senate

Health bill could get 34-hour reading in Senate

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. While Democrats could, if they wish, repeatedly make motions to end the soliloquy, Republicans on the floor could object, and the reading would continue.

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."

"Upon demand of a senator, these readings shall be on three different legislative days," the rules say.

A little quick math shows that at a minute a page -- an easily achieved pace since the pages are double spaced and in a rather large type face -- it would take 34.5 hours to read straight through the measure put together this week by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Republican leadership and gallery staff say the reading -- with occasional pauses and sips of water for parched throats -- could take more like 48 to 54 hours.

Pity the poor Senate clerks.

See how fast you can read the bill.

[Guest botulism]

Or, more appropriately, "time to make the poor person answering the phones for Lamar have a bad day." Because anyone higher up than Alderman of Deerscrotum, TN, does not answer their own phone.

Reading the bill out loud is not a winning strategy. A winning strategy is pointing out that

(1) we already have public options that cover the poor (Medicaid) and the elderly/disabled (Medicare)

(2) in only a very few ways will this bill actually reduce the cost of care for the rest of us.

Why? Because most people who support healthcare reform in general, are upset about the $600 emergency room bill for stitches, and think that the reform bill is going to magically stop that.

[Volzfan]

Is it a requirement that all Senators remain while the bill is being read?

[Wingshooter]

The idea is to loose as much time as possible for a vote before the end of this session. If this bill drags out 'till next session in January, then some Dems may have a hard time voting for it in an election year.

Reading it could drag it out or possibly help a senator or two see the light.

[Worriedman]

Calling the RINO Alexander will accomplish nothing, he cares nothing about what you or I think or want.

[Guest botulism]

The idea is to loose as much time as possible for a vote before the end of this session. If this bill drags out 'till next session in January, then some Dems may have a hard time voting for it in an election year.

Reading it could drag it out or possibly help a senator or two see the light.

A good outcome nonetheless, but it doesn't give credibility to the GOP for addressing healthcare. Not that they have a plan to reduce cost anyway. Even if they did, they're 12 months behind on the PR machine, so too little too late.

[Volzfan]

Calling the RINO Alexander will accomplish nothing, he cares nothing about what you or I think or want.

I'm afraid that you are so right.

[Guest HexHead]

Calling the RINO Alexander will accomplish nothing, he cares nothing about what you or I think or want.

When I expressed my disdain for how he voted on something a few months back and expressed my regrets over voting for him twice, assuring him it woulnd't happen again, he moved me from the response list that gets..

Dear Mr. Head.

blah blah blah

Sen. Lamar Alexander

to the one that gets...

Dear Hex,

blah blah blah

Sincerely,

Lamar.

I feel so much better, now that we're on first name basis.

[gregintenn]

I wish the reading of this bill would have to be broadcasted on every television channel. That would p1ss some otherwise uninformed people off.

[Armed Aviator]

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