WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Democrats in Washington say they
may rely mainly on Democratic votes on healthcare reform because GOP opposition
is growing firmer, The New York Times reported.
The newspaper said party leaders are shifting toward a partisan approach because
of public comments by top Republicans suggesting reform proposals being
considered on Capitol Hill will not get significant GOP support.
"Only a handful seem interested in the type of comprehensive reform that so many
people believe is necessary to ensure the principles and the goals that the
president has laid out," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday.
During the August congressional recess, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona
told reporters there was "no way that Republicans are going to support a
trillion-dollar-plus bill." Iowa Republican Charles Grassley -- one of six
Senate Finance Committee members negotiating healthcare reform -- said this week
he would vote against any bill that does not enjoy support from other
Republicans.
Grassley told the Times Tuesday he is "intent on talking. I am intent on seeing
what we can do."
Administration officials said they had hoped Congress could produce bipartisan
agreement but a senior administration official told the Times it appears the GOP
has made a political decision to oppose any healthcare proposal in the interest
of damaging the administration and Democrats.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International