Dems Gird for Fight Over Pro-Labor Bill

Measure sought to provide Reserve soldiers with more help

(NEWSER) - Prompted by the suicide of a young soldier, a Democratic representative tried to pass legislation to get more counseling and resources to Reserve members—and he blames John McCain for quashing it. “I know for a fact, because he told me, that Sen. McCain doesn't support it,” New Jersey's Rush Holt tells the Huffington Post . He says McCain, the lead GOP negotiator, told him it was "overreaching." More»

Moderates don't want to spend risky votes on legless progressive bill

(NEWSER) - House Democrats on both ends of the spectrum are feeling sorry for themselves as they struggle to shape a final health care reform bill. The bill is widely expected—based in no small part on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s proclamations—to include a public option, a tax on wealthy Americans, and a strict employer mandate. But, Politico notes, since their bill is likely to be reshaped to resemble the Senate’s compromise bill, they're wondering what the point is of taking stands that could hurt them with voters. More»

(NEWSER) - Senator Robert Byrd wants his colleagues to honor Ted Kennedy by renaming health care legislation in his honor, Politico reports. “As a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling,” said Byrd, 92, himself in poor health. "My heart and soul weeps at the loss of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend." More»

Divisions among lawmakers may make reaching goal impossible

(NEWSER) - President Obama has called for the passage of a health care bill by August—but that would require an unusually smooth few weeks on Capitol Hill, Politico reports. The Senate Finance Committee hasn’t released a version of the bill planned for early June; disagreements among Democrats in both chambers have made consensus on that side of the aisle look difficult. If nothing’s done by August, the midterm elections could make passing a measure this year difficult. More»

It's a major blow to EFCA hopes

(NEWSER) - Sen. Arlen Specter said today he won't support the Employee Free Choice Act, delivering a serious setback to the much-watched labor initiative, the Wall Street Journal reports. The bill would allow unions to organize more easily, using card signatures instead of secret ballots. The Republican's support of the measure was crucial because his vote could have given Democrats a filibuster-proof 60th vote. More»