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cal04

(41,505 posts)
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 11:33 PM Mar 2012

Scalia mocks health care law ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ provision—that no longer exists

Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia suggested on Wednesday that the Supreme Court could strike the "Cornhusker Kickback" from President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul without having to invalidate the whole law. He was right, in a way: The notorious provision isn't in the law.

The "Cornhusker Kickback" was the derogatory nickname of one of several sweetheart deals designed to ensure that the law had enough votes to pass. Amid a public uproar, lawmakers ultimately stripped the measure from the law.

But no one—not Scalia's eight colleagues on the highest court in the land, not Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler, there to represent Obama, and not the superstar lawyer challenging the law on behalf of 26 states, Paul Clement—challenged his claim.

(snip)
Senate leaders had initially included about $100 million in federal Medicaid assistance for Nebraska as part of what aides said at the time was a plan to secure the support of one of the state's senators, Democrat Ben Nelson. But the ensuing controversy over the sweetheart deal—which saw Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office coin the term "Cornhusker Kickback"—led even Nelson himself to argue that it be removed. Lawmakers stripped the arrangement from the law, replacing it with a far broader measure helping all states to expand Medicaid.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/scalia-mocks-health-care-law-cornhusker-kickback-provision-205148292.html


There is no 'Cornhusker kickback'
(snip)
In this case, Scalia doesn't seem to realize that the so-called "Cornhusker kickback" wasn't included in the Affordable Care Act; it was taken out before passage. Scalia probably heard something about it on Fox News, assumed it was true, and internalized his party's talking points. More than two years later, the conservative justice is still parroting a claim that has no basis in fact -- indeed, he's practically boasting about it during Supreme Court oral arguments.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/28/10907412-there-is-no-cornhusker-kickback

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Scalia mocks health care law ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ provision—that no longer exists (Original Post) cal04 Mar 2012 OP
He ain't the sharpest tool in the shed. FarLeftFist Mar 2012 #1
You are so right Samantha Mar 2012 #4
Ol' "7-2 Tony" is a fucking jagoff..... Sorry it needs to be said. nt Guy Whitey Corngood Mar 2012 #2
Should be cited for judging while intoxicated BeyondGeography Mar 2012 #3
I thought he was supposed to be a genius. MrSlayer Mar 2012 #5

FarLeftFist

(6,161 posts)
1. He ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 11:34 PM
Mar 2012

Is it too much to ask that the Cons on the SCOTUS read the damn bill first?!

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
4. You are so right
Thu Mar 29, 2012, 12:58 AM
Mar 2012

and it always amazes me when the Republicans over the years and still today comment on his "brilliance."

Sam

 

MrSlayer

(22,143 posts)
5. I thought he was supposed to be a genius.
Thu Mar 29, 2012, 01:52 AM
Mar 2012

And he may well be. But that he is an ignorant son of a bitch is not in question.

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