During a recent press conference, President Obama blamed George W. Bush for the nation’s fiscal condition. “When I walked in,” he declared, “wrapped in a nice bow was a $1.3 trillion deficit sitting right there on my doorstep.” Earlier this year he asserted that “we came in with $8 trillion worth of debt over the next decade.”

Neither statement is correct, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). True enough, the outgoing Bush administration bequeathed big deficits to Mr. Obama. The expected 2009 deficit was $1.19 trillion, not $1.3 trillion, however—and the actual deficit for 2009 came in at $1.41 trillion, meaning that the new president added some $220 billion to the total.

Far more significant, however, was the president’s misstatement that Mr. Bush and the Republicans left the country with $8 trillion of debt over the next 10 years.

Get full story here.

Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement at the conclusion of the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Obama:

“For the past two days, global leaders came together to work toward common goals: a future without nuclear weapons and a safer world for our families and for the next generation.  Under President Obama’s leadership, this summit was a sign of progress for the non-proliferation movement and the effort to preserve the right of all people to live in peace and security, free from fear, in the 21^st century.

“At this gathering, heads of state and foreign ministers pledged common action to address the threat of nuclear terrorism.  They committed to concrete steps to secure loose nuclear material and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.  And they vowed to strengthen international institutions, treaties, and agreements to rein in the spread of dangerous weapons and to ensure that all nations live up to their international obligations.

“I applaud the President for organizing and hosting this week’s summit, and I commend international leaders for their participation and for demonstrating their commitment to the cause of a more secure future.”

#  #  #

“Health insurance reform represents remarkable progress for the American people.  Today, with President Obama’s signature, health care becomes more affordable for the middle class, we begin closing the prescription drug donut hole, and we demand accountability from the insurance industry.

“Health insurance reform is fiscally responsible for the budgets of America’s families and the federal budget. It strengthens Medicare and improves benefits for our seniors.  It will create millions of jobs and strengthen our economic security by keeping America competitive and igniting innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This legislation is about expanding opportunity for millions of Americans, and essential to opportunity is higher education.  This legislation contains the largest investment in college aid in our nation’s history by lowering the cost of student loans, expanding Pell Grants, and investing in community colleges and the institutions that traditionally have served minorities.  It is fiscally responsible, ending years of government subsidies to banks, making available $68 billion for college loans and deficit reduction.

“I salute the efforts of the Members of Congress, particularly Chairman George Miller and many of our newer Members, who led the charge for reform, and President Obama, whose visionary leadership made this progress possible.”

#  #  #

“Good afternoon. Last night, we made history. We honored the vows of our founders who in the Declaration of Independence talked about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe the legislation that we have gives all people in our country the liberty to have healthier lives, the liberty to pursue their passions, their talents, and to have happiness.

“Today, I will sign, enroll the Senate bill, which will go the President immediately which will go the President for his signature. And it will enable the Senate now to take up the corrections — right, Mr. Hoyer? — the corrections that we passed last night. Corrections that make the insurance reforms more solid, that make more equity for the states, that close the donut hole for our seniors, make the subsidies more affordable for the middle class and to change the pay for in the bill. That is the difference — not much. As you can see, this is a very big bill, and most of it is in common with the House bill that we passed last year. All that needs to be done are the corrections in the Senate.

“I don’t want to sign this bill without mentioning Senator Edward Kennedy, who up until his last days had an influence on this legislation in the most positive way. He said this is ‘the unfinished business of our society.’ He said having health care reform was about ‘the character of our country, not the provisions of any particular bill.’ And in his honor, we all have to be prayerful and feel very blessed that we could all be here for the passage of this legislation.

“Mr. Clyburn said I could say it is on par with the passing of the Civil Rights Act. I know it is on par with passing Social Security and Medicare. And now we are making history and progress for the American people by passing health care for all Americans. It is now my honor to sign this legislation.”

###

Today, AARP announced support for the comprehensive and “historic” health insurance reform legislation before Congress.

Excerpts from AARP news release announcing support for the legislation:

“The legislative package cracks down on insurance company abuses and protects and strengthens guaranteed benefits in Medicare, the program millions of our members depend on and in which millions more will soon enroll.

“It closes the dreaded Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole,’ a gap in prescription drug coverage that is life-threatening for many.

“The package stops insurance companies from pricing people out of coverage because they have an existing health problem or arbitrarily limiting the amount of care someone can receive.

“It also limits insurance companies’ ability to charge higher premiums based solely on age.

“And it improves efforts to crack down on fraud and waste in Medicare, strengthening the program for today’s seniors and future generations…

“We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to improve health care so older Americans and their families get the care they need.” (Statement by AARP Board Chair Bonnie M. Cramer)

In addition, according the AARP news release: “…AARP CEO A. Barry Rand sent a letter to every member of the House of Representatives, urging them to put the health of Americans age 50-plus first and vote “yes” on the legislative package.”

Full Release Below:

March 19, 2010

AARP Statement on Historic Health Insurance Reform Package

Today, AARP Board Chair Bonnie M. Cramer, M.S.W., announced the Association’s support for health insurance reform legislation containing key reform provisions that will improve health care for older Americans and their families.  For more than two years, AARP has fought for health insurance reform that helps Americans 50-plus get the care and medications they need at a price they can afford.  Cramer’s statement follows:

“After a thorough analysis of the reform package, we believe this legislation brings us so much closer to helping millions of older Americans get quality, affordable health care.  For too long, our members and others have faced spiraling prescription drug costs, discriminatory practices by insurance companies and a Medicare system awash in fraud, waste and abuse.

“The legislative package cracks down on insurance company abuses and protects and strengthens guaranteed benefits in Medicare, the program millions of our members depend on and in which millions more will soon enroll.  It closes the dreaded Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole,’ a gap in prescription drug coverage that is life-threatening for many.  The package stops insurance companies from pricing people out of coverage because they have an existing health problem or arbitrarily limiting the amount of care someone can receive.  It also limits insurance companies’ ability to charge higher premiums based solely on age.  And it improves efforts to crack down on fraud and waste in Medicare, strengthening the program for today’s seniors and future generations.

“For every American who has struggled without access to health insurance—and for all those at risk of losing their current coverage with the next job loss, illness or premium hike—this package presents the best hope to offer health security for them and their families.  We understand that significant work remains even after this package becomes law, but we cannot lose the opportunity looking for a ‘next time’ that is doomed to be ‘too late.’

“We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to improve health care so older Americans and their families get the care they need.”

Also today, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand sent a letter to every member of the House of Representatives, urging them to put the health of Americans age 50-plus first and vote “yes” on the legislative package.

AARP members can see how their representatives voted on the health insurance reform package by going to www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.  AARP’s Government Watch is a one-stop online portal that will be tracking and publicizing every designated key vote on issues facing Americans age 50-plus.   A “Key Vote Summary” highlighting votes on these issues will be published at the end of each congressional session.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Speaker Pelosi.  Good afternoon.  I’ve very delighted to be here with our Distinguished Majority Leader.  We had hoped also that the Chair of the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar, would be with us, but he has a very important bill on the floor right now and depending on that debate, he may or may not be joining us.  But he certainly has been on the lead in investments in infrastructure, which is what this bill is about.

We’re gathered here again today to talk about putting Americans to work, not just back to work, but many more jobs to bring other people into the workforce with HIRE — the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act.

With $15 billion of investments, it unleashes tens of billions of dollars more in infrastructure — to build the infrastructure for the future in terms of how it unleashes funds from the highway trust fund.  And it provides support for small businesses with credits and accelerated write-offs.  It will produce — this bill here will produce 300,000 jobs.  Now, this is part of a series of jobs bills that we have — this one — Mr. Hoyer will talk some more about other legislation that is coming up.

In recent months, we’ve seen the results of the Recovery Act.  And I think it’s really important to note, again, a couple of facts.  In the last quarter of 2008, the last full quarter of the Bush Administration, the GDP was a minus 6.4 — GDP growth—minus 6.4 percent.  In that same equivalent quarter, in 2009, the GDP grew by 5.9 percent.  It shrank by 6.4 the year before.  It grew by 5.9 the following year.  A swing of over 12 percent.  Thanks to the leadership of Barack Obama and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  The fastest growth in a very long time.

Jobs — in January of ‘09, the last month of the Bush Administration, the job loss was 779,000 jobs.   The equivalent this year, January 2010, 20,000 jobs.  We don’t want to lose any jobs.  We want to be on the plus side.  But the fact is the difference is over three quarters of a million jobs.  Thank you, President Obama, and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Today, as I left my office, I noticed the stock market was over 10,700 points.  When we were debating this bill, it was in the mid-6,500s.  So, an increase of over 4,000 points in the stock market.

We know that the bill has created — the legislation has created or saved over 2 million jobs and that continues as the investments continue to be made.  What we’re doing here today is a step in more job creation, building on that success, and I’m very proud to be enrolling it here today.

I had hoped that perhaps Mr. Oberstar will join us, but I do want to say how grateful we all are to his — for his tremendous leadership, his persistence in pushing investments in our infrastructure in our country.  It’s important — infrastructure and transportation.  Important to commerce.  It’s important to quality of life.  The air we breathe and the water we drink.  So, it is an essential bill.  Our infrastructure deficit is a great one.  This takes some strong steps in addressing it.

Now, I want to yield to the distinguished Majority Leader.  This bill was something we had to go back and forth with because it did not — it wasn’t as fiscally sound as we needed to be in the House.  Well, the Leader will speak to those points.  But I thank him for making this day possible with his leadership in bringing the parties together in the House and the Senate.

Mr. Hoyer.

Majority Leader Hoyer.  Well, thank you very much, Madam Speaker.  I’m pleased to join the Speaker.

One thing we want to say today is: “We’ve told Americans we’re going to focus on growing the economy and creating jobs.”  We know that Americans are in pain.  Over 8 million jobs have been lost over the last two years.  We need to create jobs.  The Speaker has pointed out we have reduced the loss of jobs by 96 percent — an extraordinary reduction.  That’s progress.  You’ve all heard me say success will be when we get in the positive job growth number.  It will take us some time.  The stock market is up.  And we are making real progress economically on GDP.

So that on those three levels we have made real progress.  But until Americans are back to work, we are not making enough progress.  So today, recognize, notwithstanding, that all of you have been asking me questions about health care, which we think is a very important issue.

Our eye remains focused on job creation and growing our economy.  It also remains on the second priority that I indicated to you, whether we have, and that is reaching fiscal balance once again — as we had in the Clinton years.  The only President in my lifetime who had a net-surplus in the eight years of presidency was President Bill Clinton.  The past Administration inherited a $5.6 trillion surplus, turned it into a very deep debt, and an economy that was failing.  We’ve had to borrow money to stabilize and to start growing as the figures point out — the economy again.  But, this bill recognizes the fact that, “Yes, we want to do that.  But we want to make sure that we do it in a fiscally responsible way.”  So, we sent it back to the Senate, with the paid-for provisions in there, and they have passed it.

So, the Speaker will sign this bill today.  We’ll send it to the President as a continuing commitment to the American people that we are focused on growing the economy and until the economy is back and growing and providing jobs and growing jobs, we will not rest any day of this coming year.

Thank you very much.

[Signing Bill]

Speaker Pelosi.  President Obama does this left handed.  [Laughter.]

With that, we sign HIRE.  We are going to hire more people — very exciting.  Thank you.

Leader Hoyer.  Excellent.  Thank you.  Thank you for your leadership.  Great.

Speaker Pelosi.  Perhaps you have some questions about this legislation?

Leader Hoyer.  You too are focused on building jobs and growing the economy, I hope.

Q:  Now that the jobs bill you just signed is done, do you…

Leader Hoyer.  We have more to do on jobs.  The Speaker indicated, I thought you were going to ask a question.  We have a jobs bill that is being marked up in the Ways and Means Committee.  The Senate has passed a bill that they have sent over to us, so we have at least two more job creating, job, economy growing pieces of legislation we will be considering in the next few weeks.

Q:  Which day will bring the health care bill to the floor?  Do you know yet whether you will push it to Sunday or Monday?  Or you still might have it done by Saturday?

Leader Hoyer. We are going to do it as soon as it is ready to be brought to the floor, as soon as we have the CBO numbers that we can have confidence in and I would say that certainly Saturday and Sunday are possibilities.

Q:  Can you give us the latest estimate of when you might release the CBO numbers and of course the legislative language that you will release along with it?  Any update?

Leader Hoyer.  We are going to release those numbers when we have them.  Well, this is a complicated bill, and we have pledged to the American people that we will pay for this bill.  And we have made it very clear to all of our Members and to CBO that we want to make sure that this bill is paid for, does not increase the deficit, and in fact decreases the deficit over time.

As I quoted to you a Wall Street Journal article, while the CBO originally scored $132 billion decrease in the deficit, a Wall Street Journal article believes it will reduce the deficit by $600 billion dollars in the first 10 years and more than that in the second 10 years.

But the answer to your question is, we are waiting to get a real confidence level on the jobs.  Before we go further, let me yield to the individual who was so responsible in the Recovery Act.  As a matter of fact, let me yield to the Speaker, because I know she wants to say something about him.

Speaker Pelosi.  Well, I join Steny in acknowledging the tremendous leadership of Mr. Oberstar.  Any time we have legislation to create jobs, his imprint is on it.  His leadership is clear.  In this legislation, we want more, and we will have more.  But what we have would not have been possible without his tremendous leadership.  He is a man born for this job.  He understands job creation.  He understands the needs of our country in terms of its greatness, in terms of infrastructure and what that means to the commerce, to the health, to the well-being, quality of life of the American people.  And he is a great legislator.  He knows how to translate a need into a law, into better public policy for the American people.  So we are very honored to take any opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Jim Oberstar.  Thank you, Jim.

Would you like to say something, Jim?

Chairman Oberstar.  Thank you.  I’m sorry, I was delayed getting here.  We’re passing the unfinished business of the HIRE Act — correcting the misappropriation of the House language and the trust fund formula by the other body, which correction has been agreed to by Majority Leader Reid in a letter to Speaker Pelosi.  And I had to be there to validate that and insert the statement into the record and correct the formulas for all the states and re-establish the funding formulas for the future as the baseline for our authorization bill.

But I’ll just underscore what the Speaker has said about the Recovery Act.  We can account — this is my monthly report card.  We can account for 1,091,005 jobs created by the three principal programs — highway transit and state revolving loan fund, under the jurisdiction of our committee.  All of the $34.2 billion have been obligated, and 13,000 projects approved.  We have, of the — 329,000 direct on-project jobs, $3 million paid in federal taxes by people working on job sites, $279 million in unemployment compensation checks avoided, 24,000 lane miles of highway improved — that’s equal to half of the interstate highway program, and 1,200 bridges restored, replaced, or rebuilt new.

That is a concise and specific and precise achievement that all of us can be proud of in the stimulus program.

Speaker Pelosi.  And this legislation today continues that.

Chairman Oberstar.  Yes.

Q: Mr. Oberstar, there is a report that said you will vote “yes” on the health care bill.  Is that accurate?

Chairman Oberstar.  This is for jobs.  I’ll talk about health care another time.

Speaker Pelosi.  Thank you.

#  #  #

Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee released a district-level analysis on the impact of health insurance reform legislation.  The analysis is posted online for all 435 House districts.  The analysis  provides information on the benefits in the legislation to middle-class families, small businesses, seniors, health care providers, and the uninsured. Congress is taking the final steps to pass comprehensive health insurance reform to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, high quality care.

Below is the full Dear Colleague letter from Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman to every member of Congress on the analysis:

March 17, 2010

Dear Colleague:

The House will soon vote on health care reform legislation. This legislation will make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and guarantee access to health insurance for the uninsured – while reducing the federal deficit by over $100 billion over the next decade.

Many members have asked for information about the impacts of the health care reform legislation in their districts.

In order to address these questions, my staff has prepared a district-level analysis of the impact of the legislation for each member. This analysis includes information on the impact of the legislation on middle class families, small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured.

To access the fact sheet for your district, please go to www.energycommerce.house.gov.

Should you have any questions about the analysis or its findings, please do not hesitate to ask me or my staff (5-2927).

Sincerely,

/s
Henry A. Waxman
Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Congressman Charlie Wilson held a press conference this afternoon in the Capitol following a meeting with advocates for seniors on behalf of comprehensive health insurance reform legislation. The advocates included Bonnie Cramer of AARP and Trish Nemore of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.  Below are the Speaker’s opening remarks, closing statement, and a brief question and answer session:

Speaker Pelosi Opening Remarks:

“Good afternoon.  Yesterday we were here with the little children, the youngest one six weeks old.  We had sets of twins and a lot of fun, and at the end of it they gave me a diaper, which I should have brought over, that said 56 percent increase in insurance rates stinks.  [Laughter.]  America needs a change.

“Today, I have this exciting thing that I got in San Francisco over the weekend.  A friend of mine who was part of the Administration when they were passing Medicare in 1964 gave me the count sheets.  At one point, the for was 174, oppose 197.  That wasn’t any good and then how they went through the sheets with the names of the Members and all the rest, and then how they ended up with a victory at the end—very exciting.  And it is in that tradition of making a difference, a change for the American people, sitting right up there with Social Security, Medicare, health care for all Americans.

“Today, I am very pleased to be joined by some of my colleagues.  Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky – a leader in ensuring affordable health care for America’s seniors, for all Americans, but her focus in her career has been about seniors as well.  Bonnie Cramer, the Chair of the AARP Board of Directors.  Representing 40 million Americans aged 50 and older, AARP has made health insurance reform its number one legislative priority, and has helped ensure that our efforts strengthen Medicare.  Congressman Charlie Wilson, we will be hearing from him, working to strengthen Medicare and insure it is fiscally sound.  Thank you, Charlie.  Trish Nemore of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, which has been a partner in making certain that health insurance reform works for America’s seniors.  Congresswoman Doris Matsui, ensuring that seniors can keep their doctor and benefit from better coordination of care with health insurance reform.  And Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro – a lifelong advocate for health insurance reform that ensures affordability for the middle class, accessibility for millions more Americans, and accountability for insurance companies.

“I mention this because there is so much commitment, knowledge and vision about how we go forward here, and we are very proud of that.  I am also pleased by representatives from a diverse group of organizations who have been strong advocates for health insurance reform.  And I want you to wave when I say your organization.  AARP, of course we will hear from the Chairwoman; the Center for Medicare Advocacy, we will hear from Trish as well; the Alliance for Retired Americans, Ed Coyle who is here; American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Larry Minnix; Medicare Rights Center; AFSCME Retirees; National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, thank you for being here; American Federation of Teachers Program on Retirement and Retirees; Easter Seals; and others.  Many of you are here.

“We come together today as America’s seniors are asking what health insurance reform will mean for them.  Some people are confused, and understandably so.  Opponents of reform have spent millions of dollars spreading misrepresentations, in fact even mistruths.

“But the truth is: Democrats believe that health insurance reform must strengthen Medicare, never harm it.  We are responsible for Medicare.  Oh by the way, did I tell you 15 Republicans voted on the crucial vote on Medicare—only 15.  That is why our health insurance reform legislation will improve care and benefits, improve care and benefits under Medicare and extend Medicare solvency.

“AARP, and the Chairwoman will speak for herself, has said they support our reform efforts because reform ‘will put Medicare on a sounder fiscal footing.’

“And as President Obama said yesterday: ‘This proposal makes Medicare stronger, makes the coverage better, and makes its finances more secure.  Anyone who says otherwise is misinformed – or is trying to misinform you.’  End of quote.

“Our legislation lowers prescription drug cost for millions of seniors by completely closing the so-called ‘donut hole,’ the coverage—and what I am realizing is some of you younger folks don’t know what the ‘donut hole’ is.  Certainly not anybody here because you are so informed but for those of your viewers, the ‘donut hole’ is the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, it provides seniors, well we will be speaking to it in more detail.  Yesterday, the House Budget Committee and Congresswoman DeLauro will report on that so I won’t, but Democrats unanimously supported closing the ‘donut hole.’  The Republicans voted against closing the ‘donut hole.’

“Under this legislation, which ensures free preventive care under Medicare, eliminating deductibles and co-payments for preventive services that will keep seniors healthier longer includes numerous reforms that will improve the quality of care for America’s seniors, such as providing for more coordinated care so seniors won’t have to undergo unnecessary tests and procedures.

“It has investments in expanding the medical workforce so seniors will have more doctors to choose from and an easier time getting an appointment.

“It makes sure that the Medicare trust fund is fiscally sound for a decade longer than it is right now.

“In conclusion, I would say that for America’s seniors, it is now time for an up-or-down vote on health insurance reform.  We must get the job done – and we will, in a way that strengthens Medicare for America’s seniors.

“With that, I am very pleased to yield to our colleague who is leading, a co-chair of our task force on health insurance reform and seniors, Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky of Illinois.”

* * *

Speaker Pelosi Closing Statement:

“Thank you Congresswoman DeLauro.  And thank you for that report which brings us up to date on the, where we are in terms of moving forward with our legislation.

“I want to thank all of our participants here for their leadership, for their advocacy on behalf of America’s seniors, for their great knowledge of the issues and the challenges faced by individual families and seniors.  And it’s the personal stories — that story bank is overflowing with stories of concern, experiences that families have around their kitchen table, by the bedside of their seniors, or just the uncertainty they have about their jobs. Because if you lose your job under this plan, you do not lose your health insurance.  And that’s what is so important, I know, to the 50 to 65 year-olds.

“Listening to our friends on this subject reminds me of one of the major virtues of this legislation — because what it does is to invigorate our economy by creating jobs for sure, making America healthier, lowering costs, improving quality, that’s for sure.  And for seniors, it makes Social Security solvent for another decade, closes the donut hole, and does not lower benefits or increase premiums.  It’s very important.

“But what it also does for seniors, especially those on the verge of becoming seniors, the 40 to 55 year olds — excuse me, the 50 to 65 year-olds, as AARP has part of its membership is this.  Think of an economy where people are able to follow their pursuits, their aspirations.  Be they to be a photographer, an artist, to be a media person, a media consultant or writer, to just follow their aspirations, to start a business.  Most people have these aspirations, they feel entrepreneurial, they want to take risks.  But most of them are confined.  They’re job locked because they cannot change jobs because they would lose their health insurance.  If they happen to have a member of the family, be it a child or a spouse who has a pre-existing condition, they really have a hard time leaving.

“So, again, at a time in life you usually think of young people being entrepreneurial, but people over 50 who may have moved from one job to the next, would have so much more opportunity if they had health insurance.  But if they lose their job, as Congressman Wilson said, maybe through no fault of their own, they are out of work for no — through no fault of their own or they have chosen to go another place, they can do so because they have health insurance.

“This is the great liberator.  This is the great entrepreneurial spirit that is our country.  And this means a great deal, again, to our 50 to 65 year-old population who may have wanted to benefit from the experience they have had in one job and then start their own business or be self-employed or change jobs, but have the freedom to do so.

“So, I’m very excited about what this will do directly for seniors, indirectly for seniors, directly for our economy.  The Budget Committee met all day yesterday, as Congresswoman DeLauro reported.  It was stunning, and I hope that all of you have seen the list, I don’t have it here, but, when it came time to close the ‘donut hole’ just remember this: the Republicans were voting ‘no.’

“So this comes down to, are we going to continue to allow the insurance companies to own the turf of America?  Of America’s well-being and America’s health?  They’re had for over 60 years — even a waiver from the anti-trust laws, which we voted to repeal in the House already.

“Now it’s time to say whose side we’re on.  I wish it didn’t come to that.  We’d like to think that everybody in our country is on the same team, but apparently that is not the case.  When they vote over and over again in this Congress, in these committees and the rest has been to be for the insurance companies, to have them continue to come between patients and their doctors, instead of advocating for the change that our country needs.  Senator Kennedy said it best: ‘It’s not just about the provisions of the bill, they’re important; it’s about the character of our country.’

“So again, for the health and well-being of our people, for the fiscal soundness of our budgets.  President Obama has said: ‘Health care reform is entitlement reform.’  The health of our country, fiscal soundness of our federal budget, the fiscal soundness of family budgets, of businesses’ budgets, and about who we are as a country.  It’s a very exciting prospect that we’re right on the brink of making history.  Right alongside Social Security, Medicare, and now health care for all Americans.

“With that I’d be pleased to take any questions that you may have.”

* * *

Question and Answer Session:

Q: Given the ferocity of the Republican attacks on the possibility of the House procedure that would allow House Members not to vote on the Senate bill, why not just have them vote on the Senate bill? Or is it possible to get a majority?

Speaker Pelosi.  No.  We have, as I have said to you before, have several options available to us.  And we we’ve asked the Parliamentarian and the Rules Committee tell us what our options are and they’ve given us some.  I’ve told the Members that until we see the substance from the CBO, we won’t make a determination about how we go forward, but we want to know what our options are.  And I didn’t hear any of that ferocity when hundreds of times, the Republicans used these methods when they were in power.  This is part — maybe 25 percent of what they did.

So, this is — if you don’t want to talk about substance, talk about process.  And if you want to talk about process, let’s talk about the process that the insurance companies use when they say to you: “You become sick, your insurance is cancelled.”  When they say to you:  “You’re on the way to an operation but your insurance is rescinded because we just feel like it and we can do it, so we will.”  Or what they say when they say to somebody that: “You have a pre-existing condition and so you cannot have health insurance.”  Let’s talk about that process.  If you want to have some outrage about process, let’s apply it to the insurance companies.

Q:  Do you still think it’s possible to pass legislation before the President goes to Indonesia on Sunday?

Speaker Pelosi.  Well, that all — as I say, and I’ve said over and over, my clock starts ticking on this when we get the report back from the CBO.

Q:  When will that be?

Speaker Pelosi.  Well, we’re — you know, it’s an independent agency, we’re not really allowed to say what they tell us or when it’s going to happen, but I’m hoping that it will be soon, but I’ve been saying that for a while.  But I think it will be pretty soon and then we can give the notice that we have promised, that we have sufficient time for everyone to be able to read the bill, review the bill, for the public to see what it is, and then to take a vote.

So, that’s what it really depends on.

Q: Madam Speaker I know you said our clock starts ticking when get the CBO numbers.  When do you begin whipping, and even if you aren’t formally whipping yet, are you formally going to Members that you think are important to say, “Hey can you vote with me on this?”

Speaker Pelosi.  I never stop whipping.  [Laughter.]  There’s no beginning, there’s no middle, and there’s no end. [Laughter.]  My life is a constant whip operation.

Let me say this, which is something I’m so proud of: Our Members and our leadership and our chairmen are one team on all of this.  You’ve heard the words of Congressman Wilson and Congresswoman Matsui and Congresswoman Schakowsky and Congresswoman DeLauro — that is the knowledge and the passion that they bring to this issue, the commitment to do what is right for our constituents.  So, we have a massive whip operation, and we’ll be ready when it is time to go to the floor.

Q:  Are you talking to folks about this?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, no people talk to me all the time.  I don’t stave off any conversations about the bill. 

Q:  Speaker, how would you gauge the reaction of Members who are moderate Members in your Caucus?  How are they doing right now?

Speaker Pelosi. Well they’re, I think they are ready to have the CBO report.  You know, we’ve all, are respectful of the independence of the agency and the careful time that they, the time they have to take to carefully review the numbers because it is very important to us that this legislation be fiscally sound, that is save $100 billion in the first 10 years and $1 trillion in the second 10 years. That is our goal.  We want to come as close to that as possible.  In fact, we insist that we will.  And so, I think it is safe to say, that for my colleagues, I think the CBO report would be greatly welcomed.

Q:  Madam Speaker, do you expect more solid yeas then?

Speaker Pelosi. I think we are in pretty good shape.  Yes, of course.  People have to see the numbers.  And this is a lot about, it is about improving quality of care, lowering cost for individuals, but if there were no other reason to do this legislation than because we must do it for the fiscal soundness of our own budget, and that is why people have to see the numbers because there are more than one reason to do it: health—yes, prevention, wellness, entrepreneurial spirit, to give people more options in life—yes, and again as I say, this investments in technology, in science that are taking us to a new place.  Kick open that door, a new way of making America healthier.  But the fact is, the numbers have to add up to drastic deficit reduction as we go forward.  And that is why for this more than many bills that we deal with, it’s essential for the Members to see the numbers.

Q:  I just want to follow on the procedural issue.  Does it really make that much of a difference to your own Members to have this vote on the Senate bill in the rule as opposed to just and up-or-down vote?

Speaker Pelosi. We don’t, you know what I am not, there are no decision has been made about that.  It depends on the substance and then we will go to the process on that.

Q:  Madam Speaker, you also have said that nobody wants to actually vote on the Senate bill.  Are you…

Speaker Pelosi. No, I didn’t.  No.  No, I didn’t say nobody wants to vote on it.  I said there are a lot of people who don’t want to vote for it. 

Q: So then are you essentially saying that a Senate bill up-and-down vote, that your Caucus would have huge problems with it?

Speaker Pelosi. We will do what is necessary to pass a health care bill to improve quality, lower cost, and make America healthier.  Thank you.

Thank you all very much. 

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“Yes, we are going after the waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare.  But that’s because these are dollars that should be spent on care for seniors, not the care and feeding of insurance companies through subsidies and sweetheart deals.  Every senior should know: there is no cutting of your guaranteed Medicare benefits.  Period.

“This proposal makes Medicare stronger, makes the coverage better, and makes its finances more secure.  Anyone who says otherwise is misinformed – or is trying to misinform you. [Cleveland Plain Dealer; 3/15/10]

The legislation improves care and benefits under Medicare and extends Medicare solvency.  Click here to learn more.

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“Reforming our elementary and secondary school systems is critical to our nation’s long-term success.  We have a moral responsibility to educate our children, raise a new generation of well-prepared students, and give our young people the tools and skills to compete in the global economy.  We must work together – as elected leaders, teachers, and parents – to make our classrooms centers of academic excellence and to ensure that a strong education is a right afforded to every child.

“President Obama’s blueprint establishes a clear goal for the American education system: preparing students for college and careers.  The proposal makes strengthening programs in literacy as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics a top priority – training a workforce ready to lead in clean energy, health care, and the innovative industries of tomorrow.  And it focuses on improvements that will give all children the chance to realize their full potential.

“I applaud the President for taking on the task of making comprehensive changes to our schools, and I look forward to working with the Administration, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, school administrators, teachers, and families to advance our common goals for America’s students.”

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