Bayh Admits Vote For Cloture Is Vote For Government-Run Health Care, But Refuses To Oppose The Current Bill

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 13:50

NRSC Documents

WASHINGTON – As more Senate Democrats publicly oppose Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) government-run health care plan, U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) accurately pointed out yesterday that voting for cloture on the bill is synonymous with endorsing the controversial legislation, but refused to clarify whether he would ultimately vote for the final product.

Politico reports today that “Democratic leaders should be able to tell where Bayh is headed based on his vote on whether to move to a debate. The Indiana Democrat said Tuesday that he doesn’t see ‘much difference between process and policy at this particular juncture’ and that he’ll be ‘looking at those two things as one and the same.’”

According to a report yesterday in Politico, “Bayh said he has not committed to voting either way on the bill, but he was ‘keeping an open mind’ on the motion to proceed.”

“While Evan Bayh should be applauded for acknowledging that a vote for cloture on the current health care legislation is a vote to move forward with the government-run plan, his refusal to publicly oppose the legislation should be concerning for Indiana taxpayers,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Colin Reed said today.

“If Evan Bayh is truly concerned about fiscal responsibility, he should join the centrist Senators who have pledged to oppose Harry Reid’s massive bill, which will lead to a half a trillion dollars in Medicare cuts, $400 billion in new taxes, and higher health insurance premiums for everyone else,” Reed continued. “If Bayh caves to Democrat leaders in Washington and ultimately backs the government-run plan he will be held accountable with Hoosier State voters next fall.”