Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Power Play 6-19-2012

Details

  • Description

    The latest political news straight from the Beltway with Chris Stirewalt.

  • Duration 27:36
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Legislatively.

We can't do a thing.

And we are going to move full speed ahead with implementation that was a democratic congressional official.

Talking to the Associated Press about plans in the Obama administration.

To proceed with the president's when he -- -- law even if the Supreme Court strikes down its central provision and this Internet is power play and I'm Chris Farrell and I am so glad that you making time for us today because we have a lot to talk about.

We want to talk about what happens if the Supreme Court strikes down.

The central provision the mandatory health insurance component of the president's health care -- we're gonna talk about that.

We're gonna talk about what the heck is going on in this standoff -- showdown between attorney general Eric Holder and house and senate Republicans.

We're gonna talk about and agriculture bill that is I've gotten -- bound up and down down.

By controversy over.

Food stamps and how those are funded.

And we will also much to the good.

He joined by Brit Hume the one and only later on in the show -- let's get let's get this party started shelling.

And let's just say hi to congressman Paul tomko.

He's from New York he is a Democrat.

And he represents -- of the central part of the state of a very beautiful part of the state welcome back congressman.

Thank you Preston Hollow Internet hello exactly on the Internet it's happy to have you with that today now congressman.

This is something that that you know a lot about in your time both in the state legislature and congress.

About.

Undo sometimes and things have to be -- -- And as the Supreme Court gets ready to drop probably Thursday or Monday right now we're looking like the most likely times as they get ready to drop their decision.

What happens if the Supreme Court does -- invalidate this central.

Component of the law.

If they invalidate the the mandate for -- yes.

Yes certainly that -- works far better if we include.

Universality.

Because of what you do is want to -- prevented developments and -- underpinning of support for wellness.

Which drives costs downward.

So I think the clever strategy here is to find -- paid for will.

We'll have elements of this plan.

That are.

-- ready universally popular.

I have heard from many people about the the beauty the joy that comfort that comes with allowing your younger adults and families.

To stay on -- family coverage.

I knew that preexisting conditions -- something that people were tortured by and now have the luxury of healthcare insurance.

Closing the doughnut hole for pharmaceutical needs is very popular with my district preventative therapies that free checkups.

The allow old screenings that don't require co payments coinsurance deductibles.

Are very popular items and so I think there will be a way to respond to all of the dynamics of the real arithmetic here.

Simply because people now know what they have and you're not going to take it from them it's going to be a battle.

When people try to rebuild that politically.

So that estimates say that there -- the insurance industry was expecting to have a trillion with the heat.

Extra dollars and -- through now that's obviously not.

All profit probably very little evidence that being profit but.

There's been some big profits and -- but the expectation was under this law and with this mandatory health insurance that there would be about a trillion dollars.

Over the next decade that would flow through and into these insurance companies.

That's a lot of money with what kind of a Ford do you get to.

Replace that.

Well I'm certain that all the other parties will come to the table and and hammer away.

At the most just and logical solution but keep in mind too that this is a competitive arena and its people shop in the marketplace for their insurance.

There's not going to be a -- competitiveness.

Pressure if this mandate is struck down is going to be competitive pressure on these groups.

To -- popular to offer.

What was provided for in the Affordable Care Act.

And it may actually be used as a strategy by some of the forces within the insurance arena.

To gain customers to hold customers to provide these coverages and to learn how to absorb that.

Within their framework I think that that's important -- you look at the statistics in my district.

5900.

Young young people are now covered for health care purposes.

That's an important statistic you have twenty -- -- in children.

And 130000.

Adults.

Who are allowed to have prevented it.

Measures rather than paying without.

Co payments coinsurance.

And deductibles that's important 490 small businesses.

I'm not offered assistance in providing coverage for their employees these are stats these are given dynamics in today's.

World.

That are going to be very difficult to walk away from and so I think the pressure will be kind -- us.

Here in the capital to make certain that there is a pay for that -- isn't an ability to work.

Within the context of this framework to make it happen obviously the math here is well served by universality.

And it that is taken away I am certain.

Reasonable -- mines will come to the table and get it done.

Well there's got to be a first time for everything in Washington congressman.

He now the the expectation.

From the CBO was that if this were to happen if the mandate was removed.

That premiums the first that the first round of increases on insurance premiums be fifteen to 20%.

Would there need to be as this -- -- implementation assuming that there was a meeting of the minds eventually about what to do.

In the larger sense would there need to be do you think some stopgap solution short term solution next year.

If that were to happen.

Well of course you know again the benefits of this program paramedic people are understanding -- now I talk to the senior community.

They love the opportunity to close the doughnut hole because many were drained resource wise financially by that requirement of a doughnut hole.

I'm so I think again the pressure will be on the political system to respond to it.

No one will tolerate including local officials and wraps.

No one's going to want to see an increase of fifteen to 20% in premiums that is unsustainable.

-- -- -- -- -- -- that will require that we come forward with some sort of mechanism.

That will help with -- because look where the only industrialized nation that does not have universal.

Health -- this was about affordability and it's certainly about accessibility.

And today it's just and I did it and -- doable situation.

For us in a global marketplace.

To be competitive as a business community without the luxury.

Sound.

Workable health plan.

And that would put the pressure on us to come up with a mechanism -- -- that might -- in order to hold down those premium charges that that you can't see that sort of rise.

That was never part of this package.

There was always a modest.

Look that we took yet maybe a one or 2%.

Thresholds that people thought was reasonable in order to bring everyone into the equation that eventually giant drives down costs because of preventative and wellness concepts.

That will love.

I think provide for a sustainable outcome.

Congressman you talk about this just -- -- matter so you talk about this -- with real passion.

You talk about it with real enthusiasm.

And you talk about the bigness of it that this really is day.

A historic shift in America in America and social welfare and how those things are constructed.

Do you think that that is it an imminent attack and approach that the presidential campaign of Barack Obama should embrace because they talk about it in in smaller -- and in different terms.

But the president achieved a great bit of success here in the 111 congress he allowed word and outcome to.

-- to be produced that was tried over and over again.

And there just wasn't the political will or the leadership executed to make it happen he achieved a great victory here.

And I think it's incumbent upon us now to respond to what ever the court decision is.

To hold on to the progress that was struck.

And to refine it to address that affordability issues in as most.

Fair and most frank manner as possible and I think certainly -- all that happens on this hill there's a way to make that happen.

And we should embrace that and that message of this campaign.

This is about responding to the -- something.

Thriving middle class in our society that have to be an outcome.

Without a solid strong middle class there's not a strong America and so we can make that happen.

By putting the be -- that dialogue together at a table.

We have our goals to reduce -- outstanding.

Bit of success for health care access health care affordability.

And the result being a thriving middle class.

Congressman we appreciate your enthusiasm and we certainly appreciate your time have a wonderful day.

Yes -- to -- C a letter Internet.

All right okay -- very quickly a couple of your chats says screen of homer.

Can the president really assume unilateral authority to implement his plans is that illegal know the answer here is if the Supreme Court got this sucker.

And it goes forward the law stands and basically as I wrote this morning.

In the power play which you can ask for -- the cost of Twitter follow.

You could basically would have -- now.

It's pointed at the insurance industry and here it comes and that and Democrats like congressman Tom -- say.

This is the time to go for a single Payer or a government run option to replace that private sector -- that they tried.

And you never know and hitting bad things will happen make sure you fill out health care proxy not very sunny attitude this morning there.

Says.

VSL.

Senior.

And last word from the always has saved my tank says nothing history.

Okay we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we'll get some Republican perspective on this with the red team says about this stuff and we'll get to the older stuff cable talk with the agriculture bill we can fit it all in and out there waiting for you is Brit Hume -- -- -- was finally so.

Stick around.

And those are food stamps or what used to be food stamps and are now -- nifty little debit card looking things that people who.

Receive nutritional assistance nutritional subsidy from the Department of Agriculture.

-- used by their groceries and sundry items.

And this is power play welcome back in those food stamps.

In fact are the things that are complicating very much -- -- agriculture spending bill that is bogged down in the US senate.

We're going to talk about that.

With congressman Scott Tipton who happens to sit on the agriculture committee in the United States House of Representatives he's a Republican.

From Colorado with a whole lot of farmers and his district congressman welcome.

Chris pleasure to be with you.

Okay so you guys who actually before we get to this I'd like to I'd like getting a rebuttal from you.

We heard -- you from your democratic colleague -- -- from New York just a moment ago about what happens if the Supreme Court.

Takes out the mandatory insurance provision of President -- -- and health care law he says.

Go ahead and then we'll figure out a way to put to get that trillion dollars yourself.

From someplace else instead of the mandatory purchase of insurance that instead you taxes -- some or some other different thing to get to a government plan.

What do you say.

You know the bottom line is it Supreme Court rules that the individual mandate is not constitutional.

I think president's health care plan falls under its own way they don't have the funding mechanism.

If that happens then we can actually address what I think concerns most Americans.

That is affordability and accessibility I'd I'd invite all of our Democrat colleagues to support this.

Coming up to my district talked senior citizens -- are no longer able to be able to access health care because doctors are not accepting Medicaid and Medicare -- through.

Go out and talk to any individuals who are paying for their health insurance they are seeing it deep crease or seeing it increase.

Let's go ahead and create those opportunities for the free markets to be able to work be able to -- -- cross state lines.

Let's have actual tort reform that this administration and his supporters in congress.

Simply did not want to be able to address.

Let's be able to have people have that real relationship between the doctor -- parent patient.

And let them make those choices in regards to type of health insurance that they like to have let stand up for senior citizens something I'm fully committed to.

But pulling back 575.

Billion dollars that they took out of Medicare to be able to find the president's health care plan.

And let's not have bureaucrats in Washington DC making health care choices for senior citizens.

And see he knows a lot more than just agriculture if you see that Internet he just jumped right on that -- no problem there okay congressman.

Now the question is so we're spending right now and have been since 2009.

Something in the neighborhood of about 82 billion dollars a year.

On food stamps now.

Those death rate spike.

With the Obama stimulus in 2009.

And has stayed high with -- persistent unemployment in those things now.

The house passed the measure that would pretty substantially Alter the way that food stamps work now that went -- to the senate and Democrats who booted.

But now Republicans are rallying and trying to get.

A version of what you guys did amended onto their bill tell us how it works first and.

You know the bottom line is we have fifty point eight trillion dollar debt in this nation.

We have to be able to reduce them when we look at the budget for the house agricultural committee -- for the Department of Agriculture.

We see a hundred billion dollars eighty million of those dollars are going to food stamps.

Is it appropriate.

To be able to have college students people who have just won the lottery.

To be able to go down and use food stamps there isn't a person in this country wants anyone to not have enough speed to be able to -- But we have a lot of abuses in this program that we can certainly trim and correct.

And this has to be part of the economic solution of this country.

And of course we should point out -- the year before in fiscal year 2000 today.

It wasn't 82 billion it was forty million so it doubled since then and had been on and increasing plane.

Really going back to about 2000.

Is it possible though in an election year to convince people.

That being -- here with food stamps is not sort of it sounds.

We're certainly could -- -- -- campaign -- like I've -- -- position.

You know and I think that that's something we'll see Washington move beyond.

Every time we start talking about trimming anywhere in government there's demonization.

You -- -- in my district I have people who are not receiving food stamps.

They're having a tough time being able to to be able to provide for their families.

We can provide the necessary food that folks are going to be able to need if they're having hard times.

But we can also create efficiencies in government you know when we go back -- 2000 and killed.

Up to the president.

We've seen two point six times percent increase in food stamp spending that's not a percentage.

Two point six times and the increase in spending on food stamps.

We need to be able to create those efficiencies and really the best thing we can do is actually get people back to work.

So that they don't need those food stamps and I just put in some legislation.

It's -- planning for America's energy future -- 2012.

To be able to responsibly -- and all of the -- fashion creating jobs in America on American soil being able to create energy which can lower energy costs here as well.

To be able to help struggling families so this is all part of the package and processing.

Bottom line if we get America back to work we'll have less people that are actually going to need to rely on these programs and that is the best solution.

What is the -- paychecks -- Food stamps.

Okay congressman.

Have to ask you -- so today the intrigue gripping.

Things over there in your office building has to do with.

And win -- colder or will Eric Holder the attorney general of the United States -- with the heads of the Republican the Republican.

Head of the house government affairs and oversight committee -- from California your colleague.

And senator Chuck Grassley the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Talk about fast and furious they're trying to avoid.

Holders trying to avoid a vote.

Which could take place as soon as tomorrow.

Holding him in contempt.

Barbara what are you hearing and what you expect the city.

You know I think -- I would like certainly see.

Mr.

holder.

Pay as much attention put as much energy and to just be delivering what's been asked for by German ice in the oversight committee.

To be able to address these concerns.

You know we had an American was killed from a bad program.

It is totally within -- province and oversight committee to be able to make these requests and I think.

If he fails to respond it's my impression that.

-- -- and others would move forward with contempt we're tired of the bottom we've just -- -- -- answers.

And this is they're congressman is talking about -- -- fast and furious which was a gun running -- that went terribly arrived -- thousands.

Of guns perhaps into the hands of Mexican drug cartels and one of those guns has been linked to the murder.

But the US Border Patrol agent congressman we are so grateful that you make time for us today and I hope you get back out here very beautiful districts sometimes it.

Chris will be back there this weekend thanks all right right -- count us jealous okay congressman chip and had a great.

And what do you say Internet.

You -- Smart stuff you say some stuff I can't say on.

Internet television but Chris.

And if I -- financing if there's a French pronunciation there.

The very sorry but if you really want the cost of health -- come down allow interstate competition between providers.

Just as was done in banking and that is true that's an argument that conservatives make a lot which is that it worked -- that kind of interstate competition.

That allowed for the creation of these mega banks consider this statement was affected in the same would work.

For insurance.

And the Rick Miller says I thought the -- Opted for universality for you universality clause in that bill should that mean if that part falls through the whole thing -- -- -- here when you see the story I should have pointed this out when you see the story that talks about full speed ahead that I wrote about the power play today.

When you see that at full speed ahead if you're in liberal member of congress you liked the idea maybe of the Supreme Court striking down the mandatory health insurance provision because then something has to go -- to fill that gap and if the Democrats can hold the senate President Obama wins reelection then you could really had either single Payer system.

Or you could have a some sort of government run insurance program.

And that's what they wanted from the beginning they never wanted the mandate so if it dies I doubt Nancy Pelosi will shed.

Very many teachers are act.

Let's take a break let's let's gather ourselves let -- collect ourselves because when we come back.

Brit Hume you know in this case first on Twitter will be will be here and he will bestow upon us a little perspective and a lot of wisdom.

-- -- -- We will talk and bat.

-- that those are three people who will not be attending.

The Democratic National Convention in Charlotte that is West Virginia senator Joseph -- West Virginia governor Earl ray Tomlinson.

And third West -- third congressional district representative -- Joseph -- all and all three of them have said that they'll not be stopping by Charlotte to see President Obama officially accept his nomination.

And this is just the latest in a series of Clinton Democrats.

Who are.

Publicly breaking and raising alarm sounds about President Obama and his reelection campaign.

Somebody who knows all about this and somebody who has covered the Clinton Democrats when they were the only game in town.

Brit Hume the senior political analyst for Fox News.

Welcome back to the -- -- QB -- careers all right so.

We.

We've seen an increasing number.

Democrats especially of the Clinton.

Kind including Clinton himself from time to time cause some problems for President Obama and his reelection bid this week it is Joseph mansion in his friends from West Virginia which was strong state for Clinton in 2008.

We also -- -- of state for.

Clinton.

2008 in the primary primary.

Yes not -- of Barack Obama at eight head and neck and neck race here for awhile with federal -- -- -- in this year's democratic primary.

And had earlier this week Al hunt.

Said that it was time for an intervention on the Obama campaign they were off track -- too insular.

We see stories in the Washington Post James Carville and Stan Greenberg raise the -- to the president's message wasn't getting through.

What we make -- -- Well this all flows from a decision that confronted the president after the Republicans took charge in the big wash out and Tony tan.

And he -- state.

Or been -- goes to prison to begin or he could do what Bill Clinton did which is to attack.

Away from that and become -- more centrist politician.

Which he is.

Well look leftist analyst Roland but he is certainly not going to the center in any meaningful way and the result is that the Democrats in what few states remain.

Where -- you know.

It's -- only a centrist Democrat can be elected in London that is certainly true east and West Virginia press more -- than anywhere else right.

I guess that is your Kentucky is doing -- -- yeah.

You know this is that this -- situation release these politicians are look at themselves in the biggest -- governor Tom function of facing a tough reelection -- election -- Well he's got this Fella he's been on the show or or -- -- facing.

Business guy bill Maloney it was a natural gas driller sort of doing a little Romney saying I can bring -- business like I wish to state government.

He's in trouble and then I think mansion had previously said that he wouldn't.

-- wouldn't say who he was gonna vote for but had some misgivings about whether he's gonna vote for Obama.

How much of this though.

Leaving aside the politicians and going into people of the horrible and Greenberg and actual Clinton this.

Who who were part of the organization and things like that is -- and I told G so in this and oh yeah.

-- there is because.

They're not that those people are all part of the Clinton's shift button.

And it was a noticeable shift and you could see it happening yet he picked fights with Republicans and they -- the budget and so forth but he did some things that -- Were were really designed to appeal to centrist voters particularly obviously the signing of the welfare reform bill which he twice vetoed.

And know the result was that he was acceptable a lot of people optimists in the affected by the time the 1996 election rolled around.

Two years at the Republican -- taking charge the economy was moving very -- forward and it sets the stage for a election wiped out which is what happened Bob Dole got killed by Bill Clinton and election because people found conditions agreeable and he had managed to field -- center.

And there's now shaping up an interesting thing now Mitt Romney has no doubt a lot of bad weeks ahead of him in the twenty weeks ahead there will be still be plenty of rough patches for him for right now is it shaping up and we look at polls in Pennsylvania we look at polls in Michigan.

Ripples in Wisconsin certainly in the states that have not even.

Fiddled with the Republican party for quite some time.

Are now looking like possible Romney wins like he could compete in these places I note that there are a lot of those kinds of Democrats that people who appreciated that shift.

That Bill Clinton made.

That are in -- -- -- -- yeah that's true and I think.

That the only time I think there's a trend -- his direction those states.

I think though that that that that if there's a counter trend it is that in some of those states.

And I would add into the mix Ohio which has been so vote Republican forces and -- -- -- it has.

And improving economy -- Wisconsin has an improving economy.

It was just was obviously a great help to governor Scott Walker in winning his recall election.

These things also hope the chief executive of the country's future because people are not experiencing the troubled economy to the extent in those states -- there or elsewhere that doesn't mean it got to where the national economy -- -- by it.

And in general have a cousin or brother alarm -- and in some other part of the country use our work or -- about to be out of work so.

It's not it's -- you know it it helps.

As the economy is still doing well but it doesn't completely overcome the problem a bit national economy.

And -- when we routed Wisconsin and covering the recall election out there.

There was a sense of -- renewed prosperity there but there was as you say it's a concern that President Obama.

Did not move to if he had.

And we were you can think about it another way if Hillary Clinton had gotten elected president in 2008.

And moved to the middle wouldn't that person then being even better circumstance to take advantage.

Improving economic climate.

Absolutely I mean there's no doubt about that -- you know when I think.

Do it.

And -- Hillary Clinton it would have been interesting to see which you do because it was while a suspected all along exceeded she was really more liberal -- her husband right.

And that she was the one I was always took it into the left where he was not always easy to go put oil -- it's -- Who knows but I mean I think you know the people around her would have been -- into Lebanon and her husband and I would have been -- come on.

Hillary they don't -- the certificate she experienced a washout today.

That her husband and plastics unit had.

In 1994 and -- -- -- in an -- -- -- to go to senator.

And would be currently blinded her opponents bones introduction with which to make -- we'll see Brit -- we are so grateful to my -- as one of the best and you're quite right -- get the last -- great change.

Why not go back to being only able to buy food staples with food stamps to drive off.

Abusing McDonald's patrons.

Because they were worried that it would make people feel that if they just had used extensively given those little car flipped and that's why is it's about self esteem and OK we have we have to go the good news.

Hunt Jonathan Hunt will happen to you right after this and now as we like to do every day we wanna leave you with the word from our French -- It's.

This is all patchwork I think everybody understands that the train is headed over a cliff but you know they they patch it up slightly.

-- get an extra a couple of months but I don't see any way in which Europe is able to pay off.

The extravagant living has been on the social entitlement -- been on for 65 years it can't be done.

It's gonna stop but the only question is you to be crash.

Or is it is you can delete something more slow motion I think he's going to crash.

Load More