Specter Comments on Medicare Cloture Vote

Statement

Specter Comments on Medicare Cloture Vote

Today Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding his vote against cloture on the motion to proceed on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331). The motion failed last night in the Senate by a vote of 58-40.

"I voted against cloture because I was given the Reid-House bill Thursday night with the ultimatum to either take it or leave it, with no opportunity to offer any amendments because the House of Representatives had left town. Last week I voted for cloture on the Medicare bill when I had the opportunity to offer amendments.

"For 28 years I have fought against political bickering between Republicans and Democrats, especially on healthcare.

"It was expected that there would have been a 30-day extension to avoid physicians' cuts, but Senator Reid is trying to turn the business of the Senate into a political game by refusing the extension. We will eliminate the cuts for physicians and take care of hospitals and other care providers when we go back into session in early July."

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