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GOP Plans Stall Tactics for Health Bill Fight

Opponents hope long debate will force voters to 'understand this thing'

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2009 1:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lacking the votes for a filibuster and increasingly resigned to the fact that Democrats will stand united, GOP senators have a novel strategy to stall the health care reform bill: They’re going to stall it however they can. The Democratic plan “is inconsistent with the American people,” says Richard Burr of North Carolina. “So I’m not sure it’s as much about us as it is about making sure that the American people express their deep concern over this.”

In addition to a focused campaign of speeches on the evils of a bill another senator says “raises premiums, raises health care costs, raises taxes, and cuts Medicare for seniors,” Republicans hope to drag out the floor debate, reports Roll Call. They can also insist on full votes for every amendment, slowing it further. “The votes are the reality, so the only way you win this thing if you’re in our camp is if the American people are completely on your side,” an aide says.

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Graphic shows the process of making the health care reform bill into law. (AP Photo)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, accompanied by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Lamar Alexander R-Tenn. (AP Photo)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, accompanied by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., left, and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. (AP Photo)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell looks on as House Minority Leader John Boehner gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky gestures during a news conference on health care reform legislation, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Once it's on the floor, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend in the United States Senate debating one of the most important issues we could ever have before us? - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

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GOP Plans Stall Tactics for Health Bill Fight