By David J. Sanders
Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas’ 4th District has moved toward the top of the relevance scale in Congress for one reason.
Last week, the once-obscure Arkansas Democrat who until this year had avoided most of Washington’s contentious policy debates, told the House Democratic leadership that until they agree to changes in the proposed health-care legislation, they shouldn’t look for it to gain committee approval anytime soon.
Earlier, Ross kicked up a little dust over his leadership’s handling of the cap-and-trade legislation — he and a few fellow moderate to conservative Blue Dog Democrats held it up in committee. But in the end, while he voted against cap-and-trade, the bill narrowly passed the House.
It’s likely that a similar scenario will play out on health care unless Ross and his allies continue to buy time.
Over the weekend, he indicated that a deal was close. He said the Blue Dogs would try to “resuscitate” the legislation by trying to amend it this week in committee.
But Ross doesn’t want to rush it.
He told The Hill newspaper on Sunday that “whether it happens August 1, or a day or two or a few weeks after August 1 — the American people are ready for us to slow down, and have time to debate these issues, and improve upon the final product, and actually have the time to read the bills we’re voting upon.”
Democrats in Washington – from President Obama to Speaker Pelosi and all their enablers in between – have attempted to fast track health-care legislation because they are working inside a very limited window of time.
But by Monday night, no deal had been reached. The Associated Press reported that Rep. Henry Waxman, the California Democrat and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, had to cancel a bill-drafting session to negotiate with Democratic members who have concerns.
Waxman has been working feverishly to get the health-care bill written so he can get it through his committee and onto the floor for a vote before Aug. 7.
Obama and Pelosi counter Ross and others like him who insist that the country not rush down the path prematurely by arguing that action on health care cannot wait. They’ve tried to make the case that more time will only hurt the people they are trying to protect.
But what is the real reason the Obama administration and the Democratic leadership insisted on ramming their health-care bill down the House’s throat with little debate?
It’s simple really. They fear the public.
Congress’ summer recess is scheduled to begin on Aug. 8, and members won’t be back in Washington until Sept. 7. Polls indicate public support for the Democratic Congress is weak, and support for their plan to take over health care is shaky at best. The president’s approval ratings are at or just above 50 percent, depending on the poll.
Bottom line: Obama and Pelosi are fearful of what will happen when members have to face constituents who are increasingly weary because of the recession and over Congress’ rush on cap-and trade, the auto bailout, and willingness to spend trillions of dollars.
What will happen if Pelosi can’t get the bill finished before the recess?
The public’s hostility toward Washington could overwhelm members, which would make the prospect unlikely of passing something on health care after the summer recess and before members become focused on their re-election campaigns.
The liberal Democrats are trying to get their health-care bill done at record speed. But Ross is controlling the clock, and he wants more time.
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David J. Sanders writes twice weekly for the Arkansas News Bureau in Little Rock and is the host of Arkansas Education Television Network’s “Unconventional Wisdom.” His e-mail address is DavidJSanders@aol.com.
