Republican Sen. Richard Burr said he expects the Democratic-backed health care plan to quickly pass the U.S. House, but said it could face a fight in the Senate.
"We are at half time. We are going into September, which is the second half of the game," Burr told reporters after addressing a group of doctors at the N.C Medical Society Friday morning, Rob Christensen reports.
"They (supporters) intend to launch a $160 million ad campaign," said Burr, a strong opponent of legislation backed by President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders. "I certainly can't forecast what the outcome of that is. I think the future of the legislation depends on how engaged the American people will be in the process. If August is over and there are no more town meetings and they sort of forget about it, (the legislation) with $160 million ad campaign probably gets the votes it needs."
Burr said he expects the U.S. House to pass the measure largely unchanged by Sept. 15, but the measure could face a more difficult road in the Senate.
He said if the Senate Democratic Senate leadership tries to push the bill through with a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than a filibuster-majority of 60 votes, "it would cause a backlash in this country from the American people that I think would be life altering to a lot of members of Congress."
More after the jump.
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Burr, who was first elected to Congress during the Republican Revolution in 1994, said said he saw some parallels in voter anger.
"I don't believe all the outrage towards Washington is just health care," Burr said. "It is the culmination of what they have seen over the last eight months: that's ownership of private companies, that's picking winners and losers on the part of the federal government, it's the incredible way we have spent money and how fast the debt has grown.
"This has all culminated when health care was the issue that hit before the August break," Burr said. "If you got back and look at the town meetings, the outrage was not all about health care. It was about government. I believe health care could be the fuse, if ignited through circumventing the rules of the Senate, could ignite an explosion bigger than 1994 potentially."
Comments
Binker says Burr doesn't want the government involved
August 29, 2009 - 9:18am — James_Protzmanin his health care. I agree. Which is why we're calling on the senior Senator to give up his federal healthcare coverage now.
You can join the call as well. There's a petition here.
Don't be silly, Paul.
August 29, 2009 - 9:00am — James_ProtzmanYou could hardly care less about statistics. From what I've seen, your mind is made up about everything and you are quite certain you are always right. Sharing data with you would be a waste of time for both of us. Besides, if you really wanted the information, you could quite easily find it for yourself.
If I'm misreading you, I apologize. But it seems to me you have an aversion to asking one fundamental question of yourself. Give it a try. And maybe while you're at it, check with your god tomorrow at church. I suspect he would not be very pleased with your self-righteousness and hostility.
Re: Scare tactics
August 28, 2009 - 8:23pm — PaulTerrellJames please quit with the rhetoric and produce some REAL ACTUAL statistics. You seem to be very good at attacking with ZERO facts. How about you walk the walk and back up your mouth. Or should I say keyboard.
Scare tactics
August 28, 2009 - 1:18pm — James_ProtzmanWhat about all the people in America who are already having "life altering" experiences like medical bankruptcy, like losing their homes to pay for cancer treatments? Leave it to Burr to worry more about political games than policy substance. Halftime indeed.
Re: Burr: Health care debate at 'halftime'
August 28, 2009 - 1:05pm — ncsu66The Republicans [Burr] are making a full-fledged effort to derail health care reform for perceived political gain. They have outlined a “Trojan horse” plan aimed at deflecting criticism of their “vote NO, do NOTHING” policy. However, when you “cut to the chase”, the Republican [Burr] proposal for health care reform is quite simply to let poor people suffer without medical care and to die prematurely. The Republican [Burr] philosophy is that the “free market” is the best means for rationing health care. This means, if you can afford health care, you can attain health care. If you can not afford health care, you must do without health care. Health Care is nothing more than a service provided by a fancy spa or a meal at an up-scale restaurant. If you can afford it, “go for it”, if not, do without. This dishonest and hypocritical Republican [Burr] philosophy will be exposed. Republicans will be held accountable for their “Do Nothing” policies.