Battle over healthcare overhaul is anything but gentle

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

They call each other ‘gentleman’ and ‘gentlewoman,’ but the fighting over healthcare overhaul is anything but gentle.

Democrats claim they have the 216 votes to pass the legislation, but Republicans are making them prove it, over and over.

Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) mixed it up on a point of order. As jeers permeated the hall, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), who was sitting in the presiding chair, finally had to shut down debate and force the House to vote.

Republicans are sticking to their game plan of slowing down the proceedings as much as possible, in the hope that something arises. Even if they can’t stop the legislation from passing, they can at least point out political issues that might help them down the road.

The skirmishing is slowing down the day, so that a final vote is not expected until later Sunday.

-- Michael Muskal

Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal