Matthews Questions Orrin Hatch’s Patriotism Because He Called Obamacare a ‘Bill’

BY: Washington Free Beacon Staff
October 17, 2013 12:28 pm

MSNBC host Chris Matthews said Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R., Utah) reference to Obamacare as a “bill” was an intentional slight meant to “disrespect” the law and President Obama Thursday on MSNBC Live.

Matthews openly wondered how Hatch or any other Republican could consider themselves a “patriot” when they disrespect the president by opposing his policies.

“The patriot,” Matthews said, “is the person who accepts the law. The patriot is the one who believes in compromise, who believes in government”:

THOMAS ROBERTS: It’s weird Orrin Hatch — with Chuck Todd, he kept calling it a bill. He kept referring to Obamacare as a bill.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You know why? He wants to disrespect it. Disrespect for institutions, for the election of a president, for the American voter who elected him is a real problem and why they can call themselves patriots as they do that is highly inconsistent. The patriot is the person who accepts the law and the patriot is the one who believes in compromise, who believes in government.

Via: WFB

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Budget deal opens door to tax, entitlement changes

The deal struck Wednesday in Washington could make it easier for lawmakers to make big changes to tax policy, spending and entitlement programs.

Here's a look at what is in the accord, what didn't make the cut and what's coming down the pipeline.

This deal is an important way forward for big policy changes.

Tom Williams | CQ Roll Call| Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.

While a lot of the news focused on the aspects of the deal that ended the shutdown and prevented default, the plan also calls for an agreement by mid-December on a long-term budget plan.

(Related video: S&P on why US won't get AAA rating back yet)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor Wednesday that under his agreement with Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, the two leaders would name members to a bicameral budget conference committee "that will set our country on a long-term path to fiscal sustainability."

Reid announces a bipartisan deal has been reached in the Senate to raise the debt limit and reopen the government.

The House and Senate each have already passed their own conflicting versions of a budget plan for 2014. The aim of this committee would be to come up with a compromise budget blueprint which would then be put to a vote in each House.

Via: CNBC

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