Restore the Kucinich amendment

[eridani]

Today the House unveiled its healthcare reform package. And the news is all bad.

The Kucinich Amendment, which would give the states a clear path for enacting their own single-payer legislation, was stripped from the bill.

The Weiner Amendment, which would substitute the clean, clear language of HR 676 for the behemoth of a introduced, may not be given its vote in the House—in spite of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s promise.

While single payer hangs in the balance, PDA will continue to fight for single payer at the state level. Meanwhile, we have a small window of opportunity to get the Kucinich Amendment back in the bill and to make sure that Speaker Pelosi follows through on her promise to allow a vote on single-payer—the first ever in the House.

Democratic House leaders can insert what is called a “ Manager’s Amendment” into legislation, even when it is closed to any other amendments. The managers are the majority and minority members who “manage” debate for the bill on each side.

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, we need to call these “managers” and insist that the Kucinich Amendment is restored into the healthcare bill. We also need to urge these leaders to exert pressure on Speaker Pelosi—and exert it on her ourselves—to follow through on her promise to put the Weiner Amendment to a vote.

The “gang” that holds our future in their hands includes:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Washington, DC, office [phone]; San Francisco office [phone]
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer: Washington, DC, office [phone]; Greenbelt office [phone]; Waldorf office [phone]
Rep. Henry Waxman: Washington, DC, office [phone]; Los Angeles office [phone]
Rep. Charles Rangel: Washington, DC, office [phone]; New York office [phone]
Rep. George Miller: Washington, DC, office [phone]; Concord office [phone]; Richmond office [phone]; Vallejo office [phone]

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Thanks for the info. I will pass it on.