tired of the tactics and obstruction tactics we saw not too long ago a senator holding up for some time unemployment benefits for americans. we saw another senator who was holding up nominations for needed jobs in the government to do the people s work. you know, the country is tired of all this. certainly this legislation has passed the house of representatives. what we re talking about now is making some improvements that would lower prescription drug costs for seniors, make it more affordable, strengthen consumer protections and get rid of some of the special deals that people didn t like. that s all the senate is voting on. we re confident that they ll move forward. linda douglass, this is president obama talking about what s on the senate s plate. let s listen together. as momentous as this day is, it s not the end of this journey. on tuesday the senate will take up revisions to this legislation that the house has embraced. these are revisions that have strengthened this law a
i ll have what she s having. moviegoers no doubt remember that famous line from when harry met sally in a scene, a similar sentiment has been on the minds of many americans who watched house speaker nancy pelosi and her colleagues during the health care debate. they wonder whether this new health care system will apply to members of congress, their staff, and their families, the way that it applies to the rest of us. i posed that question both to president obama and secretary kathleen sebelius in separate interviews last summer. neither convinced me they then fully appreciated its importance to the american people. more recently, though, the administration seemed to get the message. quote, for the first time uninsured individuals, small businesses, they d have the same kind of choice of private health insurance that members of congress get for themselves. that s what the president said in the days leading up to
much of this was not about heal care at all. all of this was about people who have been led to believe that for somebody else to get insurance coverage would take something from them. that s the craziest notion that i ve ever heard but that s what people seem to feel. congressman, is it fair to hold the gop leadership for the conduct of some of the tea party activities outside that representative clyburn was just discussing? the tea party actors don t even represent themselves as republicans. they have a policy in regard to what they stand for but i mean when you have literally thousands i don t know. there may have been 25,000 people on saturday and i stopped and spoke to many of them and they are good red blooded americans and good honest people who travel thousands of miles in some instances and some drove and some took buses. they re frustrated.
outlets beoth on the left and right that they have this artificial view of america and then you folks go down to washington and you emulate what you hear on the radio or see on tv. well, i hope we don t emulate it. maybe talk radio and 24 news ought to tone it down. by biggest regret on this debate is the issue was about abortion and all about abortion instead of the quality provisions that are in this health care bill which really is there and designed to help the american people. i m proud of the legislation. i look forward to the president signing it soon and senate doing their job. let s talk about the positive aspects instead of whether you are red, blue, green, whatever as president obama says we re not red states, blue states, we re americans and we have to work together. what level of concern do you have, sir, that what you were able to negotiate isn t going pass senate muster and the abortion issue will come back on
democrats, but also to survive just an up or down vote on the senate bill that so many house members didn t like. and i m not quite sure what the specific assurances were, but there was a point at which the mood changed. and they became got it. willing to take the gamble. eugene robson, richard wolffe, thanks for being here. when we return, i ll have thoughts about a big question on the minds of many americans. will the new health system apply to average folks the same way it does to members of congress? [ children laughing ] suitcase? huh? where do gummy bears hide? under the seat. look! yeah! [ telephone rings ] [ male announcer ] the all new chevy equinox. [ man ] guess who? dad! [ man ] enjoy the trip! okay, daddy! [ laughter ] [ male announcer ] a consumers digest best buy. with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. it takes you farther. and brings you closer.