Obama delays Asia trip to wrap up health care
BY JANET HOOK
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama agreed Friday to postpone a high-profile trip to Asia, signaling his commitment to swift action on his signature health care bill as Democrats in Congress prepared for action next week and expanded the bill's scope to include a popular student aid initiative.
The president's change of travel plans, which will delay his departure overseas from March 18 to March 21, will enable him to remain active in pushing uneasy Democrats toward final approval of his signature domestic policy initiative.
However, it underscored the possibility that Democrats might miss a self-imposed deadline that they hold the first of a series of three critical health care votes next Friday.
"We stand ready to stay as long as it takes to pass a bill," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
In a move that doubles the stakes for Obama, Democrats now are expecting to advance simultaneously another major White House priority -- Obama's drive to overhaul the federal college student-loan program and to increase spending for grants to low-income college students.
Democratic leaders have decided tentatively to add the student aid overhaul to the health care package because it generates additional budget savings and circumvents a possible obstacle in the Senate as they deploy an expedited legislative procedure known as "budget reconciliation."
The Congressional Budget Office has been working to complete its analysis of the health care bill, which Democrats are aiming to keep to a cost of less than $1 trillion over 10 years. The CBO's authoritative report on projected costs and effect is considered crucial to a small group of conservative Democrats who remain uncommitted to supporting the bill.
The move to link the health and education bills is a big boost to prospects for passing the student loan bill, which is opposed vehemently by the banking lobby and faces a filibuster threat. The reconciliation process precludes a filibuster.
Delivering victory on two top domestic priorities could help Democrats respond to critics on both the left and the right that they have done too to deliver on Obama's ambitious agenda.
The risk of linking the issues, some Democrats warn, is that it will distract from their singular focus on getting health care legislation into law and open them to criticism from Republicans that they are larding the bill with unrelated matters that have not been well considered by the Senate.
Obama's proposed overhaul of federal student aid -- which now provides loans both directly from the government and through private lenders who receive federal guarantees and interest subsidies -- calls for eliminating bank subsidies and instead having all loans be made through the government.
Advocates of that approach say it would be more efficient and less expensive, and Obama has proposed channeling most of the savings into increasing Pell Grants, which help the neediest students pay tuition.
The CBO estimates that the Obama plan would produce a net deficit reduction of about $29 billion over five years.
Private lenders have lobbied hard against the plan, arguing that it will cost jobs in their industry, give borrowers less responsive service and disrupt the delivery of financial aid in the transition. Most Republicans agree.
"It's a very bad idea," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business. I'm not sure the public thinks the current debate is about that issue, and would show again the lengths they are willing to go to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything."
The proposal also has met resistance from some Democrats -- including Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Evan Bayh of Indiana -- who represent states where student-loan processors and banks are big employers. Nelson and Bayh were also swing votes in health care debate whose support.
Party leaders are gambling that few if any Democrat would change their position on the health care bill because of objections to the student loan overhaul.
"Senators have a clear choice here. They can either continue to send tens of billions of dollars in wasteful subsidies to banks -- or they can start to invest that money directly in students," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who is the author of the student aid bill in the House.
Lawmakers are scheduled to break for a two-week Easter recess on March 26, by which time Democratic leaders hope to have completed work on a health overhaul. Democratic hope to begin moving forward next week with a series of committee votes that will precede a vote on the House floor on the health care bill approved by the Senate last year. Party leaders then plan to use the reconciliation process to pass a package of changes sought by House Democrats.
Early next week, Obama will also travel to Ohio for another campaign style visit to Ohio to promote the healthcare overhaul.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the president made the decision to postpone his Asia trip after Democratic congressional leaders said he could help by talking with rank and file lawmakers.
Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., viewed that as a sign of heavy pressure to come on Democratic holdouts.
"We know that they are doing everything within their power to try and twist arms and encourage people to vote for something that is extraordinarily unpopular," Dreier said.
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22 COMMENTS
DTOM said...
"We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it..." March 9, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "You've heard about the controversies within the bill, the process about the bill, one or the other. But I don't know if you have heard that it is legislation for the future.... We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy."
March 13, 2010 at 6:47 AM Report abuse
DTOM said...
The Democrats Won’t Talk About This Provision The House version of the health-care bill mandates racial and gender quotas — in perpetuity. http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=YTMyMjA0YTRjYWQ1OGEzY2U2NjJlMWE2MjRhNzA2N2U=
March 13, 2010 at 6:49 AM Report abuse
DTOM said...
For all of President Obama's impassioned speeches trying to sell his health care overhaul plan to Americans, opposition to the $TWO trillion proposal has remained nearly unchanged for months, stretching back to summer, when town halls across the nation flared with voter discontent. Obama's sales pitch not changing minds. http://washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/12/obamas-sales-pitch-not-changing-minds/
March 13, 2010 at 6:59 AM Report abuse
null said...
millions have been spent and wasted in the planning of this trip. MILLIONS lost. Thanks for wasting my money!! I really hate progressive liberals!
March 13, 2010 at 7:55 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
Yes! I love this president. Finally someone with a brain and a backbone. Step aside no sayers and do nothings. It's time for a change. Love everthing he stands for and everything he's done. Keep up the good work!
March 13, 2010 at 9:38 AM Report abuse
DTOM said...
"Love everthing he stands for and everything he's done." What exactly 'does' he stand for ? What exactly 'has' he done ?
March 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
DTOM, Gee do I have the time to list all the good work he's done? No probably not. Consider how many times folks like you, proCON, or Gov2Big have whined here about anything my man Barack has said or done over the past year. This by the way would include his breathing which I’m sure you or they would or have suggested should be stopped by violent measures. Fortunately, most Americans don’t share the conservative ideology of hate, fear, and selfishness. We see and will continue to see improvements in our lives and economy every day we move away from the insanity of the GWB years. You can’t keep a good country down! Thank your Mr. President.
March 13, 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse
ProConserv said...
Rep. Stupak takes on his party's leaders, saying they don't want stronger abortion-related language because more U.S. births will cost the country too much money!...Sounds like GENOCIDE by liberal democRAT progressives to me! Never...Ever...elect, trust or believe a democrat, liberal or progressive!
March 13, 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse
DTOM said...
You should 'find' the time to list all the good work he's done. Predictable that all 'progressives' have to offer is more 'bds'.
March 13, 2010 at 1:43 PM Report abuse
DTOM said...
Progressives 101 : http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2009/11/horowitz-caddell-wheeler-what-are-we-up.html
March 13, 2010 at 1:44 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
Stupac another member of the secretive and creepy C Street Political Enclave. Another nutjob for sure. Not surprised that proCON would be looking to him for ideas. Once again for the sake of poor proCON. Never...Ever...elect, trust or believe anyone who attempts to tell you who you should trust. Such people are insulting your intelligence and should be shunned by society. Do try to sort through the nutjobs and vote for those you believe will represent us all.
March 13, 2010 at 2:23 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
Folks like DTOM should have learned from their moms that if you don't have any ideas and have nothing positive to say, the best thing to do is say nothing. Better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. Good advice, but I actually like it when these conservatives show themselves for the self-centered folks they are. It helps regular folks who normally don't give this stuff much thought to see what conservatism really stands for. Keep up the good work boys!
March 13, 2010 at 2:31 PM Report abuse
workingclass said...
Relax, you have yet to post any sort of constructive counter to any argument. Maybe you could post some information contrary to what DTOM is stating rather than try to one-up him/her with banter and weak puns?
March 13, 2010 at 6:04 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
workingclass, I'll take that to mean that you clearly see that my positive and logical remarks are one step ahead of the crys and whines of the desparate conservatives posting the views of other radical conservatives instead of saying anything of their own. Thanks.
March 13, 2010 at 7:19 PM Report abuse
DTOM said...
"positive" and "logical" remarks... that's a stretch, on both counts. Still waiting for that list of "everthing he stands for and everything he's done".
March 13, 2010 at 7:42 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
As noted above all you need do is check your own list of fearful, hate filled, self-indulged conservative rants. Then consider the opposite viewpoint. If god struck you with a bolt of lightning then told you that President Obama was a good man YOU would ask for a list of all the things that prove it. Once provided you would reject it all. What good then would it be for a kind and simple individual such as myself have in providing you with the very same list? None. Your mind is set and closed. All you can do is cry, complain, and say no-no-no until someone who betters suits your fancy occupies the office. Seven years and counting.
March 13, 2010 at 8:03 PM Report abuse
Relax said...
Workingclass, a meaningful argument has yet to be presented. I have only stated that I believe we should all get behind and support our President in these trying time. Constantly doing nothing but whining and saying no-no-no isn't likely going to resolve any problems we have.
March 13, 2010 at 8:18 PM Report abuse
Enemywithin said...
Relax the asshat is a coward.
March 14, 2010 at 1:52 AM Report abuse
DTOM said...
The whole point was if someone is making statements like "Love everthing he stands for and everything he's done", they should be able to back it up. On the 'bolt of lightning' analogy... This is not about whether or not he's a 'good man'.
March 14, 2010 at 7:43 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
But for you and all those who oppose every breath he takes the analogy holds true and you know it, just as you know you’d look the fool to admit it. Your “arguments” thus far is to post slanted conservative websites/papers/or editorials that do little more than spew misinformation, not much insight there. Any crackpot liberal could do likewise from their pundits, papers, and websites. Essentially you like your brethren want to stall HC with the hope of KEEPING THINGS AS THEY ARE. My how “CONSERVATIVE” of you. I and those like me LIBERALS want HC change now and for the good of the majority, not just those who skim profits off the top of the current system. In the end all your side seems to have going for it is fear, hate, and name calling. Read these post. It’s a shame really. Fortunately good thoughts, deeds, and logic generally prevails over childishness, selfishness, and hatefulness. What will you be saying then?
March 14, 2010 at 8:36 AM Report abuse
DTOM said...
"In the end all your side seems to have going for it is fear, hate, and name calling. Read these post. It’s a shame really." It 'is' a shame when the comments go downhill in the form of name-calling, etc. You simply cannot lump everyone who opposes this legislation into the same group. There are extremes on both sides. What you interpret as 'spewed misinformation', I would call 'thought provoking information'. I try to include links and references for everything. People can make up their OWN minds once they have the information.
March 14, 2010 at 11:11 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
Is it possible that what you immerse yourself in on a daily basis is “thought provoking” only because it supports what you want to hear? What benefits YOU and provides justification for saying the heck with everyone else. What helps to relive the cognitive dissonance (Incompatible thoughts) between what your parents, teachers and religion taught you about being a good person and how you want to live your life for your own best interest. There’s plenty of sites out there for that. I’m ok with you doing so because I also have those primal animal instincts. Fortunately I also know that those with similar thoughts as yours will always be in the minority, so the greater good will eventually win out over occasional bouts of selfishness.
March 14, 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse