‘Stop Being Rude!’ Senators Spar in Tense Committee Hearing Throwdown on the Affordable Care Act
A Senate subcommittee meeting on the Affordable Care Act descended into a sparring match between chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) and ranking member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on Thursday.
In his opening statement, Blumenthal accused Johnson of trying to “muzzle” his fight for affordable health insurance, which is the major issue causing the longest government shutdown in history.
“Let me just conclude by saying right now, millions of Americans are wondering what is happening in Washington, D.C., and watching this hearing where the chairman is trying to muzzle a ranking member who is simply calling attention to the facts of the ACA, and the real-life stories of people…indicates to me we need to shine a light on what this effort is to repeal the ACA and we need to stand strong in favor of affordable health insurance in the United States.”
Blumenthal added, “I have more that I’m going to say, but let’s be clear: ‘Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare’ — the name of this hearing — gives away the game plan. Republicans are refusing to extend enhanced tax credits because they hate the ACA more than they care about the pain that this move will inflict on families.”
Johnson then took the opportunity to scold Blumenthal.
“The ranking member has been incredibly disrespectful of these hearings,” Johnson began, continuing:
JOHNSON: This is the fourth example of this. The rules allow for one witness from the minority, unless they request an extra. And I’ve granted that request in the past. I had no idea he was going to add another witness via video, after, I don’t know, I didn’t really time it, but eight, nine-minute opening statement, then adding another witness. He could have asked ahead of time. I probably would have granted permission. He did not do so. He probably had three or four more pages — he was going to filibuster for about 30 minutes. That is what is happening here.
BLUMENTHAL: I wish I had a half-hour more, but there is no way that I —
JOHNSON: Again, you are just being rude. And you have been rude as ranking member since I took over chair. It is unfortunate. I would appreciate if you stop being rude — follow the norms of this committee. If you want an extra witness, request it beforehand, and please, keep your opening statements to a reasonable length of time. I certainly extend that courtesy by keeping my comments reasonably short. I would like if the ranking member would do the same thing. It’s unfortunate.
Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.
