Fallin, Cole Upset By Democrat's Secret Negotiations on Health Care Bill

Members of Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation say Democrats are playing hide-and-seek with America's health care reform, but the left said it's just trying to get the job done.

Thursday, January 7th 2010, 3:26 pm

By: News 9


By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Members of Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation say Democrats are playing hide-and-seek with America's health care reform, but the left said it's just trying to get the job done.

The House has a health bill and the Senate has a health bill, but before it goes to the President's desk, the two bills must become one. That's what Democrats said they're working on, but they're doing it behind closed doors.

With the holidays now over, members of the House Democratic leadership returned to Washington this week to continue working on health care reform legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she's "optimistic" about the work being done.

"There's much that we have in common in both of our bills and that we will resolve or reconcile this legislation," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Negotiations are being done in private behind closed doors, that despite the President's promise last year to keep the proceedings open to the public. President Obama repeatedly stated that negotiations would be televised on C-SPAN, but as of Thursday afternoon, that hasn't happened. C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb accused President Obama of using his network as a "political football." Lamb, speaking on Bill Press' show, said Obama had "no right" to assume C-SPAN would cover the talks in the first place.

In a one-on-one interview with NEWS 9, Congresswoman Mary Fallin said she's "thoroughly disgusted" with the secret negotiations.

"The American people have a right to see the negotiations on the bill, to know what's going on, to have a voice in that," Rep. Fallin said. "Also, as a member of Congress, I have the right to voice my opinion to represent my constituents back in Oklahoma."

Despite the backlash, NEWS 9's Political Analyst Scott Mitchell said the move doesn't surprise him.

"When you've got something that's unpopular, it's a better strategy, as cynical as it is, to just damn the torpedo full speed ahead, and come November, the American people are going to remember that," Mitchell said.

But Democrats still defend their actions saying the public's opinion has been relevant from the very beginning.

"Tens of thousands of people participated in our town meetings. Over a hundred witnesses in our bipartisan hearings that were held in the conference and the list goes on. We now have another town venue and that is the Internet, and our legislation has had visibility for a very long time in that place," Pelosi said.

Congressman Tom Cole is also expressing frustration with the situation. On his Web site, Cole issued the following statement:

"The fact that the Democrat leadership and the Obama White House have decided to negotiate the final version of health care reform without a formal conference committee and with no Republican participation is bad enough. But to do so behind closed doors and without the slightest trace of transparency is unconscionable," Congressman Cole said. "The American people are deeply concerned about a government takeover of their health care system but instead of listening to their concerns, the Democrats are effectively slamming the door in their face."

If or when the Democrats come to an agreement on a bill, it won't go straight to the president's desk. It'll still face a final congressional vote.

The House will return from vacation on January 12, and the Senate meets on January 19.

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