Republican lies go ‘nuclear’ on reconciliation

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

This segment of The Rachel Maddow Show explores how Republican lies about the reconciliation process have gone "nuclear" because they fear the inevitable passage of the health care reform bill. Briefly, here is Arizona's embarrassment, Sen. John McCain, invoking the GOP double-standard rule: IOKIYAR; it's never OK if you are a Democrat. In the process, this hypocrite argues against what he has repeatedly voted for himself.

From 'The Rachel Maddow Show' for Monday, March 1st (excerpt):

Joining Lamar Alexander in embarrassing himself on live television on this subject is Republican senator and Sunday show-more-than-regular John McCain. Senator McCain‘s big, awkward lie-down on the tracks to stop health reform came when he proposed changing Senate rules so reconciliation couldn‘t be used for anything involving entitlements. So, for example, nothing that affected Medicare could pass as part of health reform.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Entitlements should not be part of a reconciliation process, i.e., 51 votes. It‘s too important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADDOW: You know, today‘s John McCain should really talk to the guy who used to call himself John McCain about that, because that other John McCain consistently votes to change entitlements through reconciliation votes.

In 2005, the Senate used reconciliation to pass the Deficit Reduction Act by the slimmest of margins. The vice president at the time, Dick Cheney, was needed as the tie-breaking 51st vote. That bill among other things slashed spending for the entitlement known as Medicaid.

Among those voting yes to change this entitlement? Republican Senator John McCain.

In 1989, the Senate used reconciliation to pass the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989. That legislation, among other things, overhauled the doctor payment system for the entitlement known as Medicare.

Among those voting yes to change this entitlement? Republican Senator John McCain.

But now, Senator John McCain says, “Entitlements should not be part of a reconciliation process.” “It‘s too important,” he says.

Senator McCain is now proposing to outlaw something that he has done repeatedly. John McCain once again is taking a strong stance against his own beliefs.

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Read the full transcript here 'The Rachel Maddow Show' for Monday, March 1st.