The the 6th, Secret Healthcare
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Vol. 6, No.154
Take the 6th: Republican Karen Handel overcame an onslaught by Democratic newcomer Jon Ossoff to hold Georgia’s 6th Congressional district for her party. The vote in the traditionally Republican district swayed a little to the Democrat, but in the end, it wasn’t that close, 51.9 percent to 48.1.
A win for Ossoff would have been seen as a crushing blow to the Republican party, and a repudiation of President Trump. At a price of $51 million, it was the most expensive House race in history.
To Your Health: The secret Senate healthcare bill is expected to be released tomorrow and set on a one-week track for a vote before the public, and even some senators, understand what’s in it. Senate leaders are unlikely to hold any hearings that would expose the bill to scrutiny and criticism.
Some leaked elements of the bill suggest that the Senate is considering even more drastic cuts to Medicaid than the House bill that the President privately described as “mean.” It’s widely accepted that the goal of Republican healthcare reform is not better healthcare, but lower taxes.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said at yesterday’s press briefing that President Trump is intensely interested in the healthcare bill, but he doesn’t know whether the President or members of the staff have actually seen it.
Greg Sargent writes for The Washington Post that there’s a rush to get a vote before the July 4 recess “to shield lawmakers from public exposure and questioning about the immense human toll the measure they are considering could have — before they vote on it.”
The Republicans have a 52-vote majority, but several Republicans have expressed doubts. The NY Times reports that Senate Democrats are planning to gum up the works and make it a tough slog to pass the bill.
Thomas Kaplan and Robert Pear write that, “Without the votes to stop the majority party from passing a bill, Democrats can only draw attention to the way Republicans are creating their bill — behind closed doors without a single hearing or public bill-drafting session.”
Permawar: A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian-made drone operating near American-supported Syrian rebel forces. It’s the second time this month the US has shot down an armed drone that’s about the same size as the American Predator. It’s also just one day after an American fighter jet shot down a Syrian jet.
Curtain Call: Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis has announced through his press representative that at age 60, he’s giving up acting. No explanation was given. Day-Lewis, who’s considered one of the best actors of his generation, won three best actor Academy Awards for “My Left Foot,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “Lincoln.” If he sticks to his word, the movie “Phantom Thread,” due out in December, will be his last.
Wheel Man: Travis Kalanick, the co-founder of the Uber ride-sharing service, resigned yesterday after a shareholder revolt. The company has been rocked by accusations of sexual harassment and a federal investigation.
Geography 101: In recent days, the Report has mistakenly placed Camp David in Pennsylvania, when it’s actually in Maryland, and put an important congressional race in Virginia, rather than Georgia. Sadder than the mistakes are that only two readers noticed and spoke up.
Plastic Man: The Mattel toy company has given a new look to Barbie’s companion, the Ken doll. Ken now comes in a variety of skin shades, a more bodacious body, and even one version sporting a man bun. Don’t worry. Nothing Mattel has done will dispel Ken’s reputation for being a wimp.
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