American History

History was made last night. The Republican Congress, after nearly seven months, failed, for the last time, to pass a tax bill that they called a healthcare bill, a bill that all of them were elected to pass. It was one of the most reprehensible, cynical and dishonest bills of our time, for a number of reasons, not least of which is that it would have had a devastating effect on a large number of the people of Otsego County, and their children and grandchildren.

Very few votes take place in Congress without the leadership knowing where every vote is going. It was clear that all Dems would vote against, with Linda Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) also voting against. That would result in a 50-50 split, and Vice President Mike Pence, also Constitutionally appointed President of the Senate, would vote to break the tie (the only time he can vote). But then this happened.

My take on this clip: The roll call vote is called alphabetically, and McCain was out of the room when his name came up. They're on the 'P's when he reenters (bottom right). He walks up to the desk and gets the secretary's attention, between Peters and Portman, and gives his vote. No. Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, hangs his head; his career may be over. Kirsten Gillebrand, in the black dress, one of our NY Senators, jumps up in astonished delight. Elizabeth Warren, already standing, in the blue/green jacket, applauds spontaneously. Bernie Sanders pokes the guy next to him in glee. The Republicans (left side of chamber) seem frozen in shock.

This is how history is made.

I am so grateful to John McCain and Linda Murkowski and Susan Collins and all the Americans who called and wrote their elected officials and crowded into Town Halls and spoke their minds. When we talk about America and freedom, that's what we're talking about: citizens taking risks in order to participate in their own government, without fear of reprisal. And 'thank you' also to all the Congressional Democrats who never wavered, never budged an inch, even those elected from red states and tossup districts.

I am grateful because millions of Americans, and thousands of Otsego County residents, can continue to hope that good healthcare is within their reach, and within the reach of their children and grandchildren. One vote would have taken that all away.

By the way, the failure of the Senate bill kills the Faso-Collins Amendment, which was attached to the House bill. The House bill, of course, goes nowhere unless there is a corresponding Senate bill to send to the Conference Committee, and that's what failed last night. Two or three of those bubbles rising from the ooze that the Republican tax-bill-they-called-a-healthcare-bill sank into are from the Amendment, and good riddance to it in its final resting place.