Letter to President George W. Bush, Re: Bring Congress Back Into Session to Take Care of Medicare Bill
Specter Calls on President to Bring Congress Back Into Session to Take Care of Medicare Bill
"Under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, you have the authority to call the Congress back into session. I respectfully suggest you consider doing so."
Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) today sent a letter to President Bush suggesting he call the Congress back into session to act on the Medicare bill.
Full text of the letter is below. A pdf is attached.
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
As you know, the Senate did not invoke cloture on the House Medicare bill, which was taken up by the Senate late Thursday evening. The House of Representatives then left town. I voted against cloture because I would not agree to a process which denied other Senators and me an opportunity to offer amendments.
Failure of Congress to act on this important Medicare bill may result in considerable hardship to Medicare recipients because compensation for physicians will be cut ten percent as of July 1 and compensation will be cut for other health care providers.
Under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, you have the authority to call the Congress back into session. I respectfully suggest you consider doing so.
While it does not happen often, the House of Representatives does send legislation to the Senate with an ultimatum to "take it or leave it" by leaving town. This is too important to the country to have this procedural morass affect medical care for our seniors.
Obviously, no one wants to interrupt the Fourth of July recess, but I do believe this matter warrants your consideration to call the Congress back into session so that the Senate may act on the House bill with appropriate amendments and send it back to the House for its concurrence so it can be presented to you for your signature as promptly as possible.
Sincerely,
Arlen Specter