Nomentum (?): One of Pelosi's Floor Whips Will "Probably" Vote No?

Mentioned in Gabe's Top Headline comments -- one of Pelosi's floor whips, Stephen Lynch, says he'll probably vote no. (Not a repost; Gabe had sketchier information earlier.)

Even one of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s floor whips, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, says a proposed parliamentary move to pass health-care reform would be “disingenuous” and harm the credibility of Congress.

In a sign of how tough it’s been for Pelosi to round up votes for the massive bill, Lynch - a South Boston Democrat who supported a House reform package last year - said he’ll probably vote against a key Senate version of the legislation, unless unexpected major changes are made soon.

Lynch, who serves as one of Pelosi’s key vote counters, said he also can’t support a proposed “deem and pass” procedure that would allow Democrats to vote to strip out controversial portions of the Senate bill and then “deem” that the entire package has passed without a second, direct vote.

“It’s disingenuous,” said Lynch, who considers unfair a Senate provision to tack a surcharge on higher-end health plans. “It would really call into question the credibility of the House.”

I think Pelosi will wind up not using the Demon Pass maneuver at all. It's generating too much bad press. So I'm not sure if Lynch will really vote "No" at the end of the day. He has substantive criticisms too (Cadillac tax), but his focus seems to be on the procedural issue. And I don't think that will wind up being an issue.

Thanks to Shooter McGavin.

Firmer Than That? DrewM notes that Lynch's concerns over the Cadillac tax are more serious than I suggested.

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) is a firm "no" on health care reform — in large measure because he opposes the idea of any kind of excise tax on Cadillac plans, even one that's delayed for years and years.

posted by Ace at 01:44 PM

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