Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Proof: Ed Bryant Lobbied For Disastrous Medicare Modernization Act

Yesterday on this blog, I made a post that exposed Ed Bryant's latest flip flop on Medicare.

In that post, I pointed out that Ed had a hand in lobbying for parts of the disastrous Medicare Modernization Act when he was a lobbyist with BlueCross BlueShield.

However, that assertion on my part was challenged by a couple of Bryant supporters.

First, Jay Bush said:

"Chris credits Ed with having a "big hand in writing" the bill though. However, I'm not quite sure how he would have done this considering he wasn't in Congress and was still precluded by law from lobbying Members of Congress on the legislation in 2003."

"Chris - I'm sure you'll cite the news article you're referencing when you make these claims?"

Then, Blackwell said:

"Chris, What part of "Ed Bryant NEVER lobbied Congress - not during the prohibited one-year blackout period and not even after it was permitted" do you not understand?"

Well guys, I warned you that I was going to make you look foolish.

I would like for everyone to have a look at EXHIBIT A.

As you can see, EXHIBIT A clearly shows that Ed Bryant was indeed a lobbyist for BlueCross BlueShield. But what is even more telling from this document is the "Specific Lobbying Issues" which Bryant was either assigned to or chose to do.

They included:

MMA (Medicare Modernization Act
Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Form
Medicaid Regions

Hmm...now what did Jay and Blackwell say again?

I do believe they vehemently denied that Ed took part in any lobbying for the Medicare Modernization Act.

But as you can see by EXHIBIT A above, their denials are nothing but poppycock.

The truth is, Ed Bryant lobbied for this terrible Medicare Modernization Act and now since public opinion has turned on it, he is backpeddling his support for the bill.

Shame on you Ed. We deserve a U.S. Senator who will not change with the political wind.

And shame on your Jay and Blackwell. You should know by now that my blog doesn't post anything unless it is backed up by facts.

133 Days

Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics

Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.

It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.

It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.

I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!

Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!