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Alan speaks with Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) about the health care ruling and the Eric Holder contempt resolutions.
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California.
Thank you reveal -- very busy day by the way California's 33 congressional district elected into any chance you get to vote on the affordable care -- I didn't but I will tell you that I was watching it was 1130 at night in.
In California I was in Sacramento and I was watching every minute -- wishing that I could have been there to -- Well that's that we know which way -- devoted -- are you surprised by what the Supreme Court did today.
I do have to tell you I was surprised but surprise pleasantly.
I was nervous it was John Roberts that was going to lead the effort because I mean he's been so openly contemptuous of the president.
But you know I think that he -- ruled in the correct way.
And I'm very happy because I think so many of us were nervous that just like everything else that this was going to be.
Completely politicized since we know which each of the justices.
Unanimous way to say when that we're not voting on whether it's good policy -- -- that's why you elected unlike politicians.
We just voting on the constitutionality of which exactly what -- what they shouldn't be doing.
Exactly and that was the pleasant surprise because I had worried that it was going to be.
Partisan and that they would have voted on the politics and so I think the justices serve the people well today.
I'm very happy about it disappointed in the Medicaid part of it and and trying to grapple with the implications of the Medicaid.
-- what does that mean for the states.
Well essentially what it means that this that the states cannot be forced to expand Medicaid coverage.
And so the implications of that I'm not exactly sure and so I'm looking to see how people are gonna analyze this division over the next few days.
Do you think this was a case of John Roberts not one -- legacy this court to be a partisan legacy.
I certainly hope so and you know what what ever his rationale was I was just very.
There it's police to.
It seems interesting also that they.
Did not -- the commerce clause would rather muted as attacks on the president was not arguing.
It was -- he said this is not attacks but you're you're gonna have conservatives saying minorities saying it.
That's the biggest tax increase ever look what Obama -- -- -- attacks although that's not how he sold.
Right exactly and in India what I I believe in this might sound a little strange but.
I think that the Republicans probably took a deep sigh and went -- their now because.
If they hadn't thrown everything out.
-- the Republicans really would've been on the hook to deliver.
On -- rhetoric which is repeal and replace -- it will that's the -- we always I mean when I first came here that there after it was sworn.
They voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act now how many months of I've been here a year and a half.
They haven't replaced it with anything.
-- they repeal replace and Mitt Romney has refused to give a position on almost anything you get the impression he's actually purposely in -- I think they've even stated this.
Now wanting to say anything for free might offend somebody.
And saying nothing is bent on saying something says the album than the Romney campaign.
Well you know one thing at least we can -- consistent and to thank.
-- thank you -- just a physician's assistant.
I think that I -- have a special view of this based on your involvement in the medical industry.
-- give you one example pre existing conditions I worked in Los Angeles county's.
Medical center in the emergency room for a number of years and -- That one provision alone absolutely saves people's lives.
How many people wind up in county facilities because they have no health care.
And then that means they come in way too late and many people would lose their lives because they come into -- The other provision of the Affordable Care Act which absolutely save people's lives.
Is removal of the cap though if you have cancer and it your cancer metastasized -- and then the insurance companies as well you know what.
He used to much -- -- off people die because of this.
And -- just those two provisions alone.
I can see that they my former patient.
Now theoretically they could have.
Made the mandate unconstitutional but kept those other parts of the law.
Exactly and then of course the concerns there would have been.
Then how will how would -- been paid for and so everybody was concerned.
Then that fell apart they've been there would be excuse this to say what we can't go forward with the idea that because I wouldn't pay for.
Which -- with congresswoman I Karen -- -- California let me ask you but the other big news today which would be bigger news we're -- for the Supreme Court decision.
The voting in -- contempt of Eric Holder.
A criminal contempt.
The first time ever a -- cabinet member has gotten such a vote from a sitting congress what does this mean you -- valued and participant I think.
Absolutely didn't participate I -- the majority of the Democratic Caucus in things that we refuse to participate in this hypocrisy.
Here we are for the first time in US history voting to hold a member of the cabinet in content it's.
And examples were giving you know that I'm new here but I listened to my -- -- have been here for a long time you know there was an effort to hold.
Staff members not cabinet member of staff members.
-- previous White House in content.
And that the Democrats when they were in -- in charge negotiated for 200 days as to whether they should move forward with that those contempt proceedings.
The Republicans this time negotiated for seven days.
This was so completely political there was no reason to hold him in contempt and so we felt it was a -- -- hypocrisy we wanted nothing to do with it and eating voting no would complicit from our.
We would lower yourself to -- and the only -- you are not gonna lower but seventeen Democrats did vote.
Well no -- -- -- the reason -- that at that that was it was because of both seventeen Democrats are under threat.
From the National Rifle Association and so to add to the politically that they should have been.
Yeah the it sorry that they were gonna scoring and you know what that means all of us have scores haven't completely backwards.
-- But everybody has scores -- -- you are from a conservative district in the midwest and the south and you have a negative score from the NRA now the.
Question why was the entering involved in -- little rule.
Well -- then obviously then they are very interested in this case based on the gun running aspect of it although that was not what the content was about and what it was about.
The withholding of documents wasn't it's not about the actual fast and furious exercising self.
Well yeah the chairman.
That the attorney general had nothing to do with that it was about the turnover of the occupants open again.
The comparison in history when the Democrats that this.
-- White House staff that they were gonna hold in contempt.
Gave not one piece of paper.
Attorney general -- there has given tens of thousands of pieces of.
About 707 -- when I understand what it the to stop the attorney general if they can diminish him in some way from going after Republicans for voter ID laws.
Well yeah I mean they inconsistent about.
And they have been very very aggressive in terms of pursuing a crime that no one because we've improved -- -- You know you're solving the problem that is debated as to whether that exist -- there's never.
But do you think their link do you think that's what this attempt to get holder is about.
I certainly hope that it is but I think that the words of the leader I certainly.
Would look at it very seriously because she comes at a from a historical perspective.
What does is mean and these held in contempt.
Well that's.
You know what -- -- that's part of the EP political -- factor okay because it doesn't mean thing is gonna go over to the senate and the that it is gonna block.
And he keeps his job.
So this is purely political play.
Absolutely it is and that's why the leader says this -- to diminish his standing.
So he can't do things like forbid the state of Florida from purging its its rules -- about -- -- Congress and I thank you for your time and a very busy day I appreciate to get you getting your perspective here tonight thanks for having me thanks very much.
