Capitol View: June 28, 2012 Archive

Walz on the fence about Holder contempt vote--Updated

Posted at 8:32 AM on June 28, 2012 by Brett Neely (5 Comments)
Filed under: U.S. House

WASHINGTON - It's not just the Supreme Court's healthcare decision that has Capitol Hill's attention Thursday. The U.S. House will also vote on a motion to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to share information about a botched gun tracking operation.

The Obama Administration and many Democrats in Congress call the Republican-led effort a political witch hunt but some Minnesota Democrats are weighing whether to support the motion.

Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson told Politico he would vote to hold Holder in contempt while 1st District Representative Tim Walz told MPR News that he's on the fence about how to vote. Walz said Wednesday afternoon that he planned to review documents about the operation the Administration has shared with Congress in order to help make his decision.

"I'm going always, I think, to err on the side of information due to Congress needs to be delivered to Congress and so that's kind of where I'm coming from," said Walz.

Both Walz and Peterson have been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, which has accused Holder of using the gun tracking operation as a pretext to take away guns from legal gun owners.

UPDATE:

Rep. Walz will vote to hold Holder in contempt. He just issued this statement:

"I've long had concerns about the "Fast and Furious" program. It was poorly conceived, unacceptable mistakes were made, and questions were left unanswered. It is the responsibility of Congress to conduct oversight and to ensure transparency that is needed to protect the integrity of our democracy. To do its job, Congress must have access to all of the information it needs to make independent, sound judgments on behalf of the American people.

"Five years ago, when I voted to hold President Bush's Administration Officials in contempt, I said we have to stay consistent in our oversight of executive branch officials. After reviewing the facts carefully, I came to the same conclusions as I did in 2007. There are just too many unanswered questions surrounding "Fast and Furious," and the American people deserve to know more. Therefore, I will support the vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt for failure to provide requested information."

Minnesota political reaction to SCOTUS health care ruling

Posted at 10:21 AM on June 28, 2012 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)
Filed under: Political parties, U.S. House, U.S. Senate

There's been plenty of reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling on President Obama's health care overhaul plan.

Politicians on both sides of the issue have been sending out news releases and commenting via Twitter. Here are some of the key quotes:

Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin

"Millions of Minnesotans just breathed a sigh of relief. Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, which will expand health coverage, lower out-of-pocket costs and end insurance industry abuses like denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. The Supreme Court did not bend to political pressure from the right -- they did what was right. We owe them our thanks."

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Pat Shortridge (via Twitter)

"Lesson: We need conservative Senators who are willing to vote against activist liberal judicial nominees, not rubber stamp them...For the weak-minded: Point was on conservative Senators opposing libs like Soto, Kagan, Ginsburg, etc. Roberts not a lib, a disappointment."

Democratic Congresswoman Betty McCollum

"Two years ago, I was proud to vote in support of the Affordable Care Act. Today's historic Supreme Court decision affirms President Obama's leadership to extend healthcare coverage to millions of Americans. It is now time for Republicans in Congress to end their vitriolic repeal campaign and work on effectively implementing this law to the benefit of the American people."

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

"I am deeply disappointed by the court's decision. Today's Supreme Court decision raises the stakes for the coming months...Obamacare represents the largest expansion of entitlement spending and a playground of left-wing social engineering in our country's history and must be stopped. Now, the only way to save the country from Obamacare's budget-busting government takeover of health care is to completely repeal it."

Republican Congressman Chip Cravaack

"This is a huge slap in the face to every American who believes in free market and limited government principles...This Supreme Court ruling means small business owners, doctors, patients, and consumers will still be forced into a government-run health care system that limits our freedom while driving up costs on all Americans...Our mission is clear: maintain control of the House, take back the Senate and win the White House...then DEFUND and REPEAL Obamacare."

Republican Congressman John Kline

"The Supreme Court's decision is a devastating blow to the American people. If Washington can penalize private citizens for failing to buy government-approved health insurance, then there is no reasonable limit on federal power. The president's health care law has radically transformed our careful system of government in which power is derived from the people. The vast majority of the public does not support this government takeover of health care and Congress must continue its efforts to repeal it."

Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison (via Twitter)

"Americans won today. With #Obamacare SCOTUS confirms #Healthcare is a Human Right...Historic decision by #SCOTUS. #Obamacare can now take its place in history with Social Security & Medicare."

Democratic U.S. Senator Al Franken

"It's a great day for Minnesotans. This means that Minnesotans who have pre-existing conditions will not, starting in 2014, none of them will be denied or punished for having pre-existing conditions when it comes to getting insurance. That is absolutely central to why I ran for the Senate."

Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen

"While I respect the Court's decision, it doesn't change the fact that the health care law's policy is flawed and remains very unpopular with the majority of Americans. The 2,700 page law was imprudently crafted in a way which threatens good private coverage, robs $500 billion from seniors, and leaves in its wake a legacy of debt for our children and grandchildren."

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton

"I am very pleased with the Supreme Court's decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act. Today's ruling will be met with relief by the Minnesotans whose lives have already been improved by this law...This ruling is also an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care."

Democratic Congressman Tim Walz

"This decision ensures that nearly 50 million Americans, who before the Affordable Care Act couldn't afford to see a doctor, will continue to get the care they need. It ensures that children won't be denied health care just because they were born with an illness. It ensures that senior citizens will never be forced to choose between buying groceries or filling their prescriptions. It ensures that our future leaders won't be greeted on graduation day with a notice that they've lost their coverage. And it ensures that we will have a cost effective, sustainable health care system for generations to come."

Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

"Today the Supreme Court put the law above politics by upholding the Affordable Care Act. The ruling upheld important reforms such as closing the 'donut hole' for seniors' prescription drugs, allowing young people to remain on their parents' plans until age 26, and ensuring that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to health insurance. This law is a beginning, not an end, and I believe that improvements still need to be made. Moving forward I will continue to work to ensure the law is implemented in a way that is consistent with Minnesota's high-quality, efficient health care system and ensure these reforms work for our state."