The Raw Story
January 20, 2010
After posts suggesting that local constituents contact Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) about his comments on the prospects of the Democrats’ healthcare bill, the powerful Massachusetts congressman has purportedly told callers his party doesn’t have the votes in the House to ensure passage.
“I live in Barney Frank’s district, and I called his office this morning,” one constituent reportedly emailed Talking Points Memo. “To my surprise, he took my call and I asked him why on earth couldn’t the House simply pass the Senate version of the health care bill. He told me straight up that the votes weren’t there to pass the Senate bill. He said that labor is totally against it, the abortion caucus is against it, and more than a few progressives were against it.”
“I asked him about Democrats’ prospects in the 2010 election if they don’t get something done on health care,” the caller reportedly added. “He told me it would be worse electorally for Democrats if they passed the bill versus dropping it and facing voters having done nothing. I told him I disagreed with him on that point, but I suppose he knows more about this stuff than I do. I hope.”
