Obamacare Flashback: ‘I’m In The Dark’

‘I Haven't Seen The Senate Bill. Have You? Nobody Has Seen It’

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): “Now, I haven't seen the Senate bill. Have you? Nobody has seen it. I don't know who has seen it, but I haven't seen it.” (Rep. Pelosi, Press Conference, 12/16/09)

Democrats Said They Were ‘In The Dark,’ ‘Don’t Know,’ & Had Received ‘No Explanation’ Of What Was In The Senate Obamacare Bill

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “I can’t say what there is, because we’re not allowed to talk about what’s submitted to CBO.” (“Wary Senators Await CBO Report,” CQ, 12/13/09)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “I would say to the senator from Arizona, that I’m in the dark almost as much as he is. and I’m in the leadership.” (Sen. Dick Durbin, Floor Remarks, 12/11/09)

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): “There was no explanation. It was sort of go team, go.” (“Senate Democrats See Room For Hope On Health Care Bill,” The New York Times, 12/10/09)

SEN. BILL NELSON (D-FL): “I don’t know what the deal is.”  (“Senate Democrats Largely Support Health-Care Deal That Drops Public Option,” The Washington Post, 12/10/09)

SEN. BOB CASEY (D-PA): “Any big agreement is progress … even if we do not know any of the details.” (“Senate Democrats See Room For Hope On Health Care Bill,” The New York Times, 12/10/09)

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “I have not seen it myself.” “Now, you mentioned, I note, having in mind that the managers’ amendment, which you haven't seen, and, frankly, this senator has not seen either. I have some ideas what's in it, but I have not seen it myself.” (Sen. Baucus, Floor Remarks, 12/16/09)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D-IN): “We're all being urged to vote for something and we don't know the details of what's in it.” (“Obama Might Not Get Health Care Overhaul For Christmas,” McClatchy, 12/15/09)

SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “There’s no specific compromise. There were discussions. … until the package that was sent is scored, we really don’t even know what’s in it.” (“Confusion Over ‘Deal’ Continues,” Roll Call, 12/10/09)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “General concepts, but nothing very specific at all.” (“Senate Democrats See Room For Hope On Health Care Bill,” The New York Times, 12/10/09)

Days Later, Sen. Schumer & Every Other Democrat Voted For Obamacare Anyway

(H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #396, Passed 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/24/09)