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McConnell on Senate floor: Video, briefing paper, and transcript
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Here is the video of McConnell slamming the Administration and Senators who oppose free speech. It is a beautiful thing. McConnell's office just confirmed to Patriot Room that ABC will be airing a story on this tonight at 6:30PM.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell spoke on the Senate floor about recent reports of intimidation in the health care debate. Specifically, the development concerning Humana, which is located in Louisville, KY. Background information below:
Sen. Max Baucus Requested Federal Review Of Humana Inc. After They Alerted Consumers To A Change In Their Coverage If Baucus’ Bill Was Enacted: “Political intimidation has always been part of the current Congress's health-care strategy: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu" is tattooed on every lobbyist and industry rep in Washington. But Max Baucus's latest bullying tactics are hard to believe by even these standards, as the Senate Finance Chairman has sicced federal regulators on the insurer Humana Inc. for daring to criticize one part of his health bill.” (Editorial, “Baucus Bludgeons Humana,” Wall Street Journal, 09/22/09)
The Obama Administration Has Warned Insurance Companies They Could Face Legal Action For Telling Seniors They Could Lose Benefits Under Democrat Health Care Legislation. “The Obama administration warned insurance companies Monday that they could face legal action for allegedly trying to scare seniors with misleading information about the potential for lost benefits under healthcare legislation in Congress.” (“Insurers Warned About Medicare Mailers,” The Associated Press, 9/22/09)
· “In One Case, The Health And Human Services Department, Which Oversees The Agency, Launched An Investigation Of Humana Inc. After Getting A Complaint From Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), a lawmaker usually viewed as a reliable ally of the insurance industry. Baucus also put together the Senate Finance Committee's version of the healthcare bill.”
After Pressure From Sen. Max Baucus’ Committee Staff, The Laborers’ International Union Of North America Pulled Ads Targeting Sen. Baucus And Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND). “After pressure from Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) senior committee staff, the Laborers’ International Union of North America has done an about-face and will pull its television ad buy targeting Baucus and Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) starting Wednesday.” (“After Pressure, LIUNA Set To Pull TV Spots,” Roll Call, 6/30/09)
· “LIUNA, A Union Representing Construction Workers, Had Planned To Run An Ad On Broadcast And Cable Television Stations In Montana And North Dakota This Week, Imploring Baucus And Conrad To Not Tax Health Insurance Benefits To Help Pay For Health Care Reform.”
“The Senate Finance Committee Is Pressuring Hospitals And Insurers To Follow The Lead Of The Pharmaceutical Industry And Pony Up To Help Pay For Health Reform, Industry Insiders Say. With the Democrats’ high-stakes gambit to overhaul the nation’s health care system coming with an eye-popping price tag of $1 trillion over 10 years, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has been tasked with finding that money — and has been privately reminding six major health groups of their pledge to President Barack Obama to find $2 trillion in savings over the next 10 years.” (“Baucus Ups Pressure On Health Groups,” Politico, 6/27/09)
· Health Care Industry Insider: “They Are Shaking People Down.” “’They are shaking people down, and it’s fair to say that includes a broad range of health care stakeholders,’ said a health care industry insider, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly without fear of retribution. ‘They’re playing hardball, and they’re serious about it.’”
Baucus Aides Told Lobbyists Not To Attend Meetings With Republicans On Health Care: “That Will Be Viewed As A Hostile Act.” “Top aides to Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) called a last-minute, pre-emptive strike on Wednesday with a group of prominent Democratic lobbyists, warning them to advise their clients not to attend a meeting with Senate Republicans set for Thursday. Russell Sullivan, the top staffer on Finance, and Jon Selib, Baucus’ chief of staff, met with a bloc of more than 20 contract lobbyists, including several former Baucus aides. ‘They said, “Republicans are having this meeting and you need to let all of your clients know if they have someone there, that will be viewed as a hostile act,”’ said a Democratic lobbyist who attended the meeting. ‘Going to the Republican meeting will say, “I’m interested in working with Republicans to stop health care reform,”’ the lobbyist added.” (“Baucus Aides Warn K Street,” Roll Call, 6/11/09)
“Those Apparent Warnings Came From Russell W. Sullivan, The Finance Committee Staff Director, And Jonathan G. Selib, Chief Of Staff To Finance Chairman Max Baucus , D-Mont.” “Health care lobbyists met Thursday with Senate Republicans despite what some characterized as warnings from Democratic staffers against undermining overhaul legislation. Democratic leaders denied discouraging participation in talks as health care legislation takes shape, citing committee meetings with Republican lawmakers and sessions with industry advocates, such as one Thursday at the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. But attendees at a June 10 meeting with top Democratic aides described apparent warnings about participating in two meetings with Republicans on Thursday. One meeting included Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Jon Kyl of Arizona and John Thune of South Dakota, and the other was with GOP leadership staffers. Those apparent warnings came from Russell W. Sullivan, the Finance Committee staff director, and Jonathan G. Selib, chief of staff to Finance Chairman Max Baucus , D-Mont., according to a Democratic lobbyist who was among those cautioned about Thursday’s Republican meetings. The lobbyist said that he didn’t feel threatened — ‘not at all’ — but that there was a general message that working with Republicans would be a ‘hostile act.’” (“Questions Over Lobbyist Meetings Complicate Health Care Negotiations,” CQ, 6/12/09 - password protected)
One Lobbyist Said That Baucus’s Chief Of Staff Said That Lobbyists Would Either Be With Democrats Or Republicans On Health Care. “According to the lobbyist, Selib said: ‘I’m a Mets fan, and as you know, the Mets and Yankees hate each other. And you have to decide, are you for the Mets or the Yankees?’ The lobbyist said the message he got was: ‘This is going to be a big bill and we’re willing to work with people to change it. But if your clients have any interest in blowing it up, we’re not going to work with you.’” (“Questions Over Lobbyist Meetings Complicate Health Care Negotiations,” CQ, 6/12/09 - get error on link)
After It Was Learned That BlueCross BlueShield Of North Carolina Was Planning Web Videos Critical Of A Public Option, White House Health Reform Czar Nancy-Ann DeParle Called The CEO. “After word leaked that a North Carolina insurance company was planning Web videos critical of President Barack Obama’s proposal for a public health insurance plan, the White House health reform czar had the company’s chief executive on the phone explaining himself.” (“Nancy-Ann DeParle Battles Old, New Critics,” Politico, 5/26/09)
· BlueCross BlueShield Of North Carolina Dropped Plans To Release The Videos After The Call. “And not long after the phone call between Nancy-Ann DeParle and Bob Greczyn of BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, the company dropped its plans to post the anti-public-plan videos on the Web, DeParle and a company spokesman told POLITICO.”
“But That Call Showed That DeParle And Other Democrats Are Going Take The Fight To Opponents Of Obama’s Plans In Hopes Of Avoiding One Mistake From That Earlier Battle: Letting The Other Side Get The Upper Hand In The Message Wars.” (“Nancy-Ann DeParle Battles Old, New Critics,” Politico, 5/26/09)
Here are some of his words. You can check his Senate site for a transcript - not up as of 310PM, but will be soon.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding free speech in the health care debate:
“I rise to call my colleagues’ attention to a disturbing development in the health care debate.
“A colleague of ours has called for an investigation into a major health care company because this company informed its customers of its concerns about health care legislation that this colleague of ours introduced.
“As a result, the federal government has now told all companies that provide Medicare Advantage to seniors to stop communicating with their clients about the effects of that legislation — even telling them what they can and cannot post on their websites. This gag order, enforced through an agency of the federal government at the request of a Senator, is wrong.
“It started when a company based in my hometown of Louisville — Humana — had the temerity, in the eyes of some of our colleagues, to explain to its customers that if Medicare Advantage is cut, as the chairman’s mark requires, it may have to reduce benefits, which, of course, is a common sense conclusion.
“Mr. President, this is America: Citizens, either as individuals or grouped together in companies, have a fundamental right to talk about legislation they favor or oppose. That is the core of the First Amendment’s protections on speech. Unfortunately, this is part of a troubling trend of efforts to dismiss the concerns raised by the American people over the past few months.
“Over the summer, we saw American citizens who raised concerns about the health care proposals before Congress dismissed as ‘un-American’ by leaders in Congress. That’s bad enough, but using the full weight of the federal government’s enforcement powers to stifle free speech should trouble all Americans — and all of us — even more.
“We cannot allow government officials to target individuals or companies because they do not like what they have to say.
“This latest effort to squelch free speech raises several serious questions:
“Is this what we have come to as a country — that an individual or company can no longer factually advocate their position on an incredibly important public policy issue?
“Shouldn’t customers have a right to know the potential impact of a Congressional action?
“Is this what we believe as a Senate — that this body should debate a trillion-dollar health care bill that affects every American while using the powerful arm of government to shut down speech?
“Is this how citizens and companies can expect to be treated if health reform passes? That any health provider that disagrees with a powerful Senator will be subject to an investigation and a gag order?
“How is this any different than what the Washington Post and New York Times have done in lobbying for a reporter shield law? Would we stand by if the Judiciary Committee asked the FBI to investigate the media for taking positions on pending legislation we don’t agree with? Of course not.
“Humana is headquartered in my hometown of Louisville, and yes, I care deeply about its 8,000 employees in Kentucky. But this gag order now applies to all Medicare Advantage providers.
“I would remind my colleagues that I have spent my career defending the First Amendment rights of people to criticize their elected officials, including me. I would make the same argument if this were a company based in San Francisco or Helena or Chicago.
“The right to free speech is at the core of our democracy. Free citizens have a First Amendment right to petition their government for a redress of grievances. This gag order on companies like Humana and those in all our states, in my view, is a clear violation of that right. It’s wrong.
“Employers that warn their customers about the effects of legislation aren’t the ones who should be getting warnings here. Senators who threaten Americans’ First Amendment rights are.”
