Two Democrats Join GOP Call for Countrywide Probe Oct 23, 2009
Two Senators who received loans through the program Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn. were investigated and cleared by the Senate Ethics Committee earlier this year. (Roll Call)
Obama Leans Toward Public Health Option Oct 23, 2009
and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., told reporters they had been told the private negotiations were considering the plan. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. (Newsmax)
No comments posted. Oct 23, 2009
and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said in separate interviews they had been told the plan was drawing interest in the private negotiations unfolding in an ornate room in the Capitol down the hall from the Senate chamber. The final decision is up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. (Washington Daily News, NC)
Towns Walks on Thin Caucus Ice Oct 22, 2009
said Issa is pushing a fishing expedition, and pointed to the fact that the Senate Ethics Committee already reviewed and cleared two Senators who received loans through the Countrywide VIP program Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn. . (Roll Call)
Republicans Feel Locked Out Again — Literally This Time Oct 21, 2009
and Kent Conrad (N.D.) obtained mortgages from the program, prompting Issa and other Republicans to question whether Dodd and Conrad obtained below-market rates because of their positions. However, the Senate Ethics Committee cleared both lawmakers in the matter. (Roll Call)
House Dems trim health bill to $871 billion Oct 21, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said he and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, were discussing a possible compromise that would cost $25 billion over two years and unlike the original measure not raise federal deficits. (MSNBC -- Politics)
‘Doc Fix’ Continues to Vex Senate Leaders Oct 21, 2009
Meanwhile, a two-year, $25 billion alternative being negotiated by Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Finance ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) appeared to be gaining steam. That measure would offset the costs of the doctors payments extension over that period, meeting the concerns of a handful of Democrats who want the bill paid for. (Roll Call)
Dems push to reverse doctors' Medicare cuts Oct 21, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota and chairman of the Budget Committee, floated a compromise that would reverse the Medicare reimbursement cuts for two years at a cost of $25 billion, rather than the 10-year, $247 billion plan by Stabenow. Conrad said his plan would be paid for by spending cuts and revenue increases, but he provided no details. (CNN -- Health)
Alternative bill considered on doctors’ fees Oct 21, 2009
Senator Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, said he and Senator Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, were discussing a possible compromise that would cost $25 billion over two years and - unlike the original measure - not raise federal deficits. The nation s debt doubled during the last administration and if we don t do something, it s going to double again in the next eight years, Conrad said. (Boston Globe)
On Deficits And Doctors Oct 21, 2009
Late last week, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad told his fellow Democratic colleagues that he wouldn't play along with their transparent scheme to offload $247 billion - the amount needed to pay for the so-called Medicare "doc fix" over ten years - from Obamacare onto another piece of budget-busting legislation. For that bit of independent thinking, Senator Conrad got his own personal meeting with the president of the United States in the Oval Office. (CBS News)
Conrad, Grassley Look to Break Impasse on ‘Doc Fix’ Oct 20, 2009
Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Finance ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are working on a plan to pay for a $245 billion extension in Medicare payments to doctors, hoping to find a way to quell bipartisan Senate opposition. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev. (Roll Call)
Specter: Public Option Healthcare Gaining Support Oct 20, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., continued to lobby for health insurance cooperatives instead. Special: Get Sarah Palins New Book Incredible FREE Offer. (Newsmax)
Experts: Pelosi Value-Added Tax Devastating Oct 20, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), disagrees. "I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table (for debate)," he told The Washington Post in an interview. (Newsmax)
Read the 'FNS' transcript Oct 20, 2009
Joining us now to talk about what they would support are Democratic senators Kent Conrad and Arlen Specter, who are in their home states, and Republican senator John Thune, who joins us here in studio ... SEN. KENT CONRAD, D-N.D.: Well, it's probably not wise for me to negotiate in public, Chris, but let me say this ... When I listen to what my friend Kent Conrad has said, those conditions which he articulated at the very end I think could be consistent with a robust public option. (Fox News)
Conrad pushes health co-ops; Specter says public option 'gaining momentum' Oct 19, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) held fast to the idea of health insurance cooperatives Sunday while Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa. (TheHill.com)
Guest lineup for Sunday's TV news shows Oct 19, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Arlen Specter, D-Pa. and John Thune, R-S.D.; Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Your views: Letters to the editor Oct 19, 2009
Democratic Senators Max Baucus, Kent Conrad, Blanche Lincoln, Thomas Carper and Bill Nelson have all taken millions of dollars from industry interests and voted not to include a strong public option in the health care bill. They know it would force the cost of health insurance down and so do the insurance companies. (Florida Today)
US budget deficit hits record Oct 18, 2009
Meanwhile, Senator Kent Conrad, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said the deficit announcement "again highlights the fiscal mess handed to the Obama administration" by the administration of former president George Bush. - Sapa-AFP. (Business Report, South Africa)
Afghanistan, healthcare and the impact on Dems to dominate Sunday shows Oct 18, 2009
Kent Conrad (N.D.) and Arlen Specter (Pa. will join host Chris Wallace to talk healthcare and the economy as well. (TheHill.com)
Labor Unions Turn Against Parts of Health Bill Oct 17, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., for instance, has said he will not support government-run insurance called for in other versions of the bill. The AFL-CIO, the Air Line Pilots Association and the UAW are also part of the coalition. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
US budget deficit hits record 1.4 trillion dlrs: govt Oct 17, 2009
Meanwhile, Senator Kent Conrad, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said the deficit announcement "again highlights the fiscal mess handed to the Obama administration" by the administration of former president George W. Bush. 2009. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
US budget gap hits new record Oct 17, 2009
Senate Budget Committee chairman Kent Conrad said health care reform that "bends the long-term cost curve" was critically important to putting the country back on a sound long-term fiscal path. The large deficit has pushed up US government debt issuance, which is likely to remain high in the coming years as well. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Reid Axes Monday Vote Oct 17, 2009
Several Democrats like Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind. have also signaled their opposition. (Roll Call)
U.S. deficit soars to record-high $1.4 trillion Oct 17, 2009
But even if the health-care package reduces future deficits, as Obama has pledged, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., acknowledged, "It is clear that much more will be needed to set our nation back on a sound long-term fiscal path.". A combination of factors produced the $1. (AZCentral -- News)
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows Oct 17, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Arlen Specter, D-Pa. and John Thune, R-S.D.; Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Stock Rises for Three Senators Oct 15, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), a moderate who spent months helping Baucus negotiate the final Finance bill, conceded the Montana Democrat s task would be difficult but said he has a strong hand to play. Sen. (Roll Call)
Click to read:Senate Finance Panel Passes Health Reform Oct 14, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Sen. Jay Rockefeller D-W.V. and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Sen. (CBS News)
Health Care Bill Passes. No Public Option. Yet? Oct 14, 2009
Senators Pass Health Care Bill with Key Republican Ally, Olympia Snowe. Wednesday, October 14, 2009. (Slate)
DEMS SCRAMBLE AFTER WARNING FROM HEALTH INSURERS Oct 13, 2009
Jack Reed, D-R.I., left, talks with Senate Finance Committee member Kent Conrad, D-N.D. as. Insurers are now raising possibilities such as higher premiums for people who postpone getting coverage, or waiting periods for those who ignore a proposed government requirement to get insurance and later have a change of heart. (The Drudge Report)
Senate Vote Displays Reality Check in Sex Education Debate Oct 13, 2009
Two Democratic Senators, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, joined their Republican colleagues to affirm the value of such programs in their states. This move is the first step toward reversing the administration s attempt to zero out every cent devoted to abstinence education. (Roll Call)
Health Reform Expected to Clear Hurdle Oct 13, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Sen. Jay Rockefeller D-W.V. and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Sen. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Where's the GOP Health Care Alternative? Oct 12, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. (ABC News)
N.D. scandal raises concerns about health co-op route Oct 11, 2009
"The co-op plan aims to achieve the same benefits for consumers as a public option without government control," said Senator Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat ... As an existing company, the Blues would not be allowed into the ranks of new co-ops envisioned by Senator Kent Conrad, the North Dakota Democrat who is also the Finance Committee s most zealous promoter of the model. (Boston Globe)
Where's the Health Care Bill? Oct 9, 2009
The group included Democrats Baucus, Kent Conrad (ND) and Jeff Bingaman (NM), along with Republicans Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Mike Enzi (WY). They met for weeks, yet couldn t agree on a bill. (Human Events Online)
Knotty issues ahead for insurance overhaul Oct 9, 2009
Kent Conrad of North Dakota. That pattern is likely to be seen again among House Democrats. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Why the CBO cost estimate is so important Oct 8, 2009
Kent Conrad D-N.D., and House Budget Committee chairman Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Public Option Lite Oct 8, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and the trigger (or "") proposed by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine. (Slate)
U.S. losing ground on preventable deaths Oct 6, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) bemoaned the findings. "All of these countries have much lower costs than we do," he said, pointing to a giant blue chart showing the United States in last place. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Dem leader has tough job in crafting health bill Oct 6, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. "What a daunting challenge.". Everything about health overhaul legislation seems to be unusually complicated, but this process is particularly so because of the disparities between the bills and Obama's goal of keeping the cost at $900 billion over 10 years. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Senate health-care bill may be finished, but divisions remain Oct 5, 2009
Those are not the only alternatives," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.The Finance Committee draft includes co-ops, or nonprofit member-run companies organized on a state, local or regional basis to purchase insurance, an idea that Conrad championed. In addition, Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., is floating a proposal to allow states to create their own public options. Snowe has proposed allowing public options only if state health-insurance markets prove uncompetitive.What's important, Carper said, is... (Fresno Bee)
Lacking 'Public Option,' Senate Obamacare Bill Still Bad Oct 3, 2009
Rather than save taxpayers money by asking women to finance their abortions without federal dollars (as the Hyde Amendment has mandated since 1976), Finance Committee Democrats (minus North Dakota s Kent Conrad) rejected Utah Republican Orrin Hatch s amendment to prevent Obamacare s budget from funding elective abortions or health plans that cover feticide. In the Age of Obama, Uncle Sam pays for everything. (Human Events Online)
LETTER: Logistics will doomgovernment-run system Oct 3, 2009
and Kent Conrad (N.D.) voting with every Republican to secure passage of the measure. The proposals success caught Sen. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Read Hannity's America Oct 2, 2009
We have reported for months that Senators Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad both received sweetheart mortgage deals through the so-called Friends of Angelo program. And although they were cleared by the Senate Ethics Committee in August, it has now been revealed that Countrywide may have recorded phone conversations during the deal-making process. (Fox News)
Horse Doctors Oct 1, 2009
Chairman Max Baucus and four other Democratic senators Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Bill Nelson of Florida and Tom Carper of Delaware joined the 10 Republicans on the panel to vote against the amendment offered by Democrat Sen. Jay Rockefeller. (Investors Business Daily)
Baucus: Healthcare May Go to Full Senate Friday Oct 1, 2009
Both failed on nearly party line votes of 13-10, with Snowe siding with most Democrats in opposition, and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., voting with Hatch. Republicans also failed in attempts to require applicants for federal health programs to furnish photo identification as proof of eligibility, an issue that dealt with illegal immigrants. (Newsmax)
Never-ending debate Oct 1, 2009
Approval of the amendment by Democratic Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota came late Tuesday as Democrats struggled to push forward on the first day of debate on the legislation. Republican senators asked numerous questions and delivered remarks that delayed the process. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Democrats lead committee rejection of public option Oct 1, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., chairman of the Budget Committee, who worried that the plan would devastate his state because its reimbursements would be based, at least at first, on Medicare rates that he says were unrealistically low for rural hospitals. He favors an alternative included in the Baucus bill: funding to establish nonprofit, state-level cooperatives in which consumers could band together to purchase health insurance. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bid to strengthen abortion provision shot down Oct 1, 2009
Kent Conrad of North Dakota, voted against the amendments. All Republicans except for Sen. (CNN -- US)
Public option takes a blow Oct 1, 2009
"The public option is on the march," Rockefeller said, moments before his amendment was defeated nearly 2 to 1, with five committee Democrats -- Tom Carper of Delaware, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Bill Nelson of Florida and Baucus -- defecting. Schumer said, "We are going to keep at this and at this and at this until we succeed, because we believe in it so strongly.". (Albany Times Union)
80 percent agreement on health care? No way that's true Oct 1, 2009
I have no idea how you'd calculate something like that," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. On Wednesday that panel labored through another round of bill drafting. It hopes to finish its work later this week, but final congressional action on the legislation is still probably months _and lots of tense votes and debates away.Conrad's view has bipartisan support."I don't see it," said Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio, a centrist Republican whom Democrats... (Fresno Bee)
Senators reject stronger anti-abortion language Oct 1, 2009
One Democrat Kent Conrad of North Dakota supported Hatch. Separately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
Senators Turn Back Antiabortion Provision in Health Bill... Oct 1, 2009
Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Kent Conrad (D., N.D.) talk Wednesday on Capitol Hill prior to the panel's hearing on health-care legislation ... Kent Conrad of North Dakota was the lone Democrat in favor. (The Drudge Report)
How would the public option outcompete private enterprise? Sep 30, 2009
Only three Democrats (Kent Conrad, Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln) joined them in opposing Schumer s public option. Lincoln and Conrad both face stiff opposiiton from other Dems, and Lincoln is barely ahead right now. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Senate committee declines government insurance plan Sep 30, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., left, and Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., center, Tuesday during health care legislation markup. WASHINGTON - Liberal Democrats failed Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate Finance Committee, despite widespread accusations that private insurers routinely deny coverage in pursuit of higher profits. (Athens Banner-Herald)
BREAKING: 'Public Option' Rejected By Senate Committee Sep 30, 2009
Kent Conrad (N.D.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark. and Ben Nelson (Fla. (Human Events Online)
Why some CEOs deserve big salaries Sep 30, 2009
Three Democrats -- Max Baucus, Kent Conrad and Blanche Lincoln -- voted against both amendments. No Republicans. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Public Enemy Sep 30, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who persuaded Baucus to substitute the public option with funding for nonprofit health care cooperatives, waxed rhapsodic about the health systems in France, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan, which provide benefits through "not-for-profit insurers" like his proposed co-ops. But he neglected to point out that these foreign nonprofits enjoy an advantage the Baucus plan doesn't deliver. (Slate)
In Obama setback, Senate panel rejects health public option Sep 30, 2009
Latest Political Stories. Latest World Stories. (Fresno Bee)
Public option fate in Obama's hands Sep 30, 2009
Public option fate in Obama's hands - Yahoo. Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Senate Panel Rebuffs Obama; Restores Abstinence Funds Sep 30, 2009
Two Democrats _ Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas _ joined all 10 committee Republicans in voting "yes" on the measure by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. (Newsmax)
Huffington Post Attacks WSJ Mortgage Report Sep 30, 2009
Christopher Dodd and Kent Conrad and their relationship with Countrywide, and found "no credible evidence" to support allegations against them. . (Newsmax)
House Democrats considering insurance tax Sep 26, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., arrive on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, before the start of the markup of the health care legislation. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Seniors become focus of health overhaul debate Sep 25, 2009
Kent Conrad during a session on health care reform on Capitol Hill on Thursday. . (MSNBC -- Politics)
Party expects loyal soldier in health care fight with GOP Sep 25, 2009
Both Reid and Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, a key moderate in the health care fight, owe their political rise in part to Kirk; he was the Democratic national chairman in 1986 when they were first elected and the party regained control of the Senate. Republicans, however, saw Kirk s appointment as illegitimate. (Boston Globe)
A tussle over Medicare Advantage Sep 25, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. One of the reasons Medicare is forecast to go broke in eight years is because of the explosive additional cost of Medicare Advantage. . (MSNBC -- Health)
