Democrats to Vote Against "No Erectile Dysfunction Drugs To Sex Offenders" Amendment

The amendment does as you would think from the title. It will prevent sex offenders from getting Viagra and the like under the healthcare plan. The reason for voting against it is becasue any change in the text of the reconciliation package will send it back to the House for another vote; something the Democrats are desperate to avoid. Look for the Republicans to have a lot of fun with this, and the Democrats to come out looking pretty foolish; in turn giving the Republicans plenty of fodder for campaign ads. Just think about it; '__(Dem Rep)__ voted to to give convicted serial rapists Viagra so they could continue their spree...'.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/23/dems-to-oppose-the-most-a_n_510675.html

"The idea is that by securing even a slight adjustment in the language, the Senate will have to send the bill back to the House of Representatives for reconsideration. Drawing out the process makes it more likely for it to be tripped up.

On Tuesday, the GOP put its strategy into action, with Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okl.) introducing an amendment beyond agreeable. Titled "No Erectile Dysfunction Drugs To Sex Offenders" it would literally prohibit convicted child molesters, rapists, and sex offenders from getting erectile dysfunction medication from their health care providers.

While it will undoubtedly be difficult for Democrats to vote against the measure (one can conjure up the campaign ads already), the party plans to do just that.

"Democrats in the Senate are very unified that this is not going back to the House," Sen. Wyden (D-Ore.) told the Huffington Post on Tuesday, minutes before the Coburn amendment was introduced.

Just how unified? If Republicans, in a bit of legislative trickery, offer an amendment to the Senate reconciliation bill that allows for the establishment of a public option for insurance coverage, Democrats -- despite longing for the proposal for more than a year -- won't even take the bait."

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/23/gop-to-dems-will-you-join-us-in-voting-to-ban-viagra-for-sex-offenders

"Everyone get the joke here? If the Dems amend the reconciliation bill for any reason, they have to send it back to the House for yet another vote. So anything the GOP proposes — anything — they’re basically bound to vote no on. And Coburn knows it. One tasty shinola sandwich, coming up! Although I’m confused: If, as the left has convinced itself, ObamaCare is pure win for them politically (see, e.g., today’s ridiculously overhyped Gallup poll), what’s the aversion to another House vote? In fact, why not ping-pong the bill back and forth between the chambers for another month, loading it up with ever more crowd-pleasing amendments? It’s time to own the glorious political victory that looms in November, liberals."