Health care reform finally makes breakthrough
Hazel Trice Edney/NNPA Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 10/25/09 Section: Politics
WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Health care has been on the front burner of Washington politics and even civil rights advocacy for the nearly 10 months that President Barack Obama has been in the White House. Finally, a break through when the Senate Finance Committee passed a $829 billion bill, giving hope that a national health care program may indeed become a reality. But, there are still monumental tasks on the horizon - including convincing House Democrats to agree.
"I do think it will pass," said Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) in an interview with the NNPA News Service. As House Majority Whip and the highest ranking African American in Congress, it is Rep. Clyburn's responsibility to help pull together a Democratic majority that is largely stratified on this issue.
For example, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has advocated for a so-called "public option" that could be used by the unemployed or those unable to purchase health insurance on their own while Democratic conservatives, known as Blue Dogs, largely oppose the option. Also, while the Congressional Black Caucus has been staunchly for the public option, President Obama has said there could be "another means to that end," implying possible compromise. All of the political jargon has appeared to indicate regressive disunity within the Democratic Party on which Blacks largely depend on to advance their interests. Pertaining to the health care legislation, Clyburn still assures, "We're going to get there."
But, how?
"Like we always do," he said. "This Caucus of ours, I try to tell people that it ought not be looked upon with any comparison with the Republican Caucus."
Clyburn described the Republican Caucus as appearing so cohesive because they do not reflect "the broad experiences of our country" because the Republicans have no African Americans in Congress. "And so, if you've got a conference or a group of people that doesn't have a single African American in it, where does that perspective get discussed?"
"I do think it will pass," said Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) in an interview with the NNPA News Service. As House Majority Whip and the highest ranking African American in Congress, it is Rep. Clyburn's responsibility to help pull together a Democratic majority that is largely stratified on this issue.
For example, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has advocated for a so-called "public option" that could be used by the unemployed or those unable to purchase health insurance on their own while Democratic conservatives, known as Blue Dogs, largely oppose the option. Also, while the Congressional Black Caucus has been staunchly for the public option, President Obama has said there could be "another means to that end," implying possible compromise. All of the political jargon has appeared to indicate regressive disunity within the Democratic Party on which Blacks largely depend on to advance their interests. Pertaining to the health care legislation, Clyburn still assures, "We're going to get there."
But, how?
"Like we always do," he said. "This Caucus of ours, I try to tell people that it ought not be looked upon with any comparison with the Republican Caucus."
Clyburn described the Republican Caucus as appearing so cohesive because they do not reflect "the broad experiences of our country" because the Republicans have no African Americans in Congress. "And so, if you've got a conference or a group of people that doesn't have a single African American in it, where does that perspective get discussed?"
Be the first to comment on this story