Congressman Steve Lynch
Thu, 18 Mar 2010|
We're finally able to track down the man of the day, and get him to say he will not vote in favor of the healthcare reform bill.
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Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)
Japan gets on the line now is soda. The man of the hour the men of our congressional delegation congressman Steve lynch insult Boston how are you Steve.
Good -- how are you.
Good I I you know I pick up The Herald today and jay FitzGerald got the story. And he has you've been quoted as saying that. You'd have trouble voting on this the Senate bill that you'd probably oppose that if it came up in in the -- congress. And they you don't it all like this. Demon passed bill. Mom that is I'm going to pick you know it's being talked about is one of the strategies that they might use to get health care through. And I said well that's great at least one alvare. One of our members of our delegation isn't just going down the Pelosi wrote here.
Well you know -- is not is not following now one person our knowledge is just you know you'd read the bill. You understand the issues and you you do what's best for the people what you represent them and in this case. The Senate bill has stripped out all of the real reform -- promised they'll. There is no remaining cost containment. And in the bill. So that you know what basically treating new people into the existing system. And you know as I described it before this -- I get the feeling that we're paying the ransom but. But that. The insurance company isn't the end of the day still holding hostages and so there's there's no real reform here and that that bothers me greatly because it. It's now only speaks two the problem for our generation but also for generations to follow.
So you're very sure that bomb on Sunday when it looks like this is all gonna come up. When they have the vote on. The Senate bill that passed on Christmas Eve you'll be voting against it.
I will yeah okay that's then ten and I know that there are some permutations here they're saying that. There's going to be a mother of the old reconciliation. Bill or. There's also talk about this these -- pass story except self executing rules where. You know where the members who have a problem voting for this bill some of them. Feel more comfortable mournful ruled that contains the bills so that they don't have to tell bit. Constituents that they vote for the bill but that's you know that's. That that that is not. You know I don't that's not something that I wouldn't insult the intelligence so my constituents in trying to Chela match you know.
Demon passing. It was just a roll call vote according to what we're looking at here on on the slaughtered demon pass. Republican measure to block the slaughter rule and is. Fail -- the house just defeated this Republican amendment. 22222. To 203. Did you vote on that.
Now what would that. It says here.
The house just defeated a Republican measure to block the slaughter ruled by a vote of 222 to two both --
Yet that was on emotion from a previous question okay. Those those procedural matters. You know. Generally. We allow the speaker which is scheduled build something like that what they wanted to do was defeated and then bring up the question. Right now. They wanted to vote on right now I say you know I I know that. Membership in -- 72 hours I haven't instant online. And and an opportunity to debate this potential. I know that I know that the Republican members were trying to bring it up. And and defeat the slaughter solution early on yes but it also it also would have brought the bill up right away I see no tax that. That that becomes a problem my bank and pianist ever want. And I think these Republicans. Sort of knew they were gonna lose -- that fight but run you know.
Anyway it's it's posted the the bill is -- on the house. Committee web site now. The reconciliation amendment is up and available on the house rules committee website. So it is poston I guess the clock running to a vote on Sunday is that what you're hearing that's all gonna come down on Sunday.
That's what I'm hearing yup that's --
We're talking with congressman Steve lynch from -- Boston. Who is really the first member of the Massachusetts delegation who has come out firmly and tells us where he's gonna vote on Sunday. And it's folks are going after him -- just reading a piece I don't know if you've seen -- Steve on politico. And it says -- then this theory you've become a serious target of the unions. And that you're getting tickets that your district office there was an AFL CIO robo call blitz to AFL CIO -- CIO members. And then they even had a good old friend of yours from your days as -- head of -- union when you were you were president of local seven. By Joseph hunt come and visit you -- try to win over your vote.
Yet chose -- just called me it calls okay.
And we -- rid of the trends. You know I understand what the union leadership there's on this. You know the possibilities.
Book you are -- union leader though. You union leader you were president our union.
Yep yep that is correct that's correct you know president let's listen -- yes yes. Yeah and I understand what they're arguments not I think they got a lousy deal. What what they've done is they've signed off on an agreement that. -- in 2008 C rather than text people will make it happen million dollars million dollars as you know filing jointly. They're gonna attract people. 40% surcharge. On on people who have expensive -- health care plans now. Those -- includes. Most union workers because they've they've stood opposite lines they've. They've collectively bargained generous plans in some cases they've. They've turned down wage increases rather of them and and rather have you know put there increases in -- health benefit plans. So now in 2018. All of that the cost of this expanded coverage goes on their -- And so. You know. Yet they got a reprieve until 2018. But I think that's a lousy deal that's a lousy deal and it 2018. Most of the people pushing this bill.
Will be long gone right. To reduce the we just less be about it I imagine. Do you think collects and union guys came up from behind -- and like grabbed him and tied 22. To pick him off. At I was gonna tell Steve -- and we appreciate him for calling and talk about the man who's in the middle of the heart -- in Washington hopefully he'll call back here in a minute. But the regular rank and file union folks here in Massachusetts that we have heard from this afternoon. Are supporting him overwhelmingly. We have gotten some great calls of support from. The folks who actual working union members on this special tax on their health care plan. It really doesn't make sense and as is Steve said he thinks they got they got a bad deal when they negotiated this that the union bosses. Didn't take care of their members 6172666868. The number 617666868. Were talking about the health care bill Jake what you want to take a quick break here and then you get Steve back. Well that's great that we'll get Steve back it's amazing I didn't even know -- saw the story that. What Steve's been going through as he stands up on this vote Steve thanks for coming back we can't show up. And you know what as I always say we all love cell phones except when they don't work. Yet but anyway I also wanted to tell you that. Well on this issue of the 40% surtax on health care plans. -- the regular union guys and we've been here from a lot of them. You know -- brick layer is a plumber called in before from can't -- in your district. They have all been saying they were glad Steve -- is standing up for us he's the one that's right on this. -- So you're Dunham Washington you're getting ready for the big vote this is congressman Steve lynch on the Charlie Manning -- WRKO. And I noticed that though this is a fun thing that the White House has been trying to get a hold of you went. Right till now you really didn't want to return those calls do you think you're gonna get really up pushed on this at the end here.
Well you know look I IO the president every courtesy so what he did call -- just call him.
And I'm gonna meet with them out a little later on today and.
Sit down are you gonna -- the president by yourself what do you think in a group --
Well they tell me it's it's he. One on 10. Yeah so that'll apple. And a little while. And look I. Want to make sure people understand I'm gonna give the president every courtesy that he has is old. And you know we just have a difference of opinion here on what we think is best for. But the American people and like to keep it at that level.
Well that's the way you've always kept it and I'll tell you voters out here. Have been called calling your office all week and and they call in here and tell us what happened then they say your folks today and really respectful to them how how would the calls gone do you get a number from your staff -- Most folks call your office against this before.
I would say eighty first of all if you are huge volume of calls -- I -- say there probably breaking. All I'm on May be 75%. Against once fought the war. Charleston. Yeah you know and and the issues that they're raising easily you know this concern about Medicare. You know I also. During saint Patrick's week insult Boston and an in my district which is very Irish district.
It is so Boston's Irish from shock to hear that.
But you know I I get a chance to expand I'd probably have lunch all of our breakfast -- about all 15100 seniors over. And -- about a week right and and there was no support among most seniors. Of this bill zero I did not have one senior come up demands -- put this and I had dozens. You know what we're very concerned about you know -- what this impact would be on Medicare Medicaid.
Medicare Advantage. You know there's a lot of.
You know fear -- there sure.
You know I think that that having that what I come home every week.
I don't live in Washington island and Boston so. You know I listen pretty closely to the people are not.
And I I think that helps me in in making decisions like this.
Wells this congressman Steve -- really appreciate you we know how busy you are and good and over the White House to meet the president and all later today but we really appreciate you calling us on the Charlie Manning show -- WR TO and we'd love to stay in touch with -- the sub microphones are open -- at any time if you wanna talk to the voters appear but. Here's one thing you might want to share with the members down there. Brand new Rasmussen poll today and we know how good the Rasmussen folks are. 50%. Of light -- US voters. Say that they'll be less likely to vote for their representatives in congress if they vote for Obama care so. The people of this country don't want this thing and I think you're you're taken -- on the right path than the folks in your district oughta be proud of you thanks a colony and we -- it.
Thanks for your time it's Charlie thank you could talk to me.
Take care. 6172666868. It was great got -- it was great talking to Steve lynch and he's going over to meet the president this afternoon they're gonna lobby him but. I think he's been listening to the people I'd like that stories he told about being here during Saint Patrick's Day week meeting with his constituents especially seniors. They don't want and -- it at least at least he's listening Steve -- listening. Let's take a break on the Charlie Manning show on WRKO.
A lot of people talk politics. Is Graham who loses if you start remembering on Boston's -- AM 680. W or video.
