Baron Hill Folds to Party Bosses’ Demands

Baron Hill Folds to Party Bosses’ Demands

Double-Dealing Ways Uncovered While the Heat Turns Up On Hill

Washington– As the healthcare fight continues, Baron Hill seems to be caught in the political cross-fire between so-called Blue Dogs and his forceful party bosses. The Democrats’ sweeping healthcare legislation supposedly puts Hill at odds with his party’s reckless tax-hiking and job-killing agenda. So the question arises, how does one appease both sides? Well, Hill’s answer is simple. He will play for both teams.

Hill recently voiced his opposition to Democrats’ radical healthcare plan:

“‘It’s the spending and the cost. The [Congressional Budget Office score] last week was really a hit across the bow,’ said Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), a Blue Dog leader and member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. ‘Blue Dogs took that as an opportunity to try and make some sense out of all the spending that’s in the bill. We must get it under control.’” (Mike Soraghan And Jared Allen, “Dems At Odds On How To Turn Tide On Health,” The Hill, 7/21/09)

Now, it seems Hill is barking a different tune. Hill as reported in yesterday’s CQ Today, is one of four blue dogs to strike a deal with Henry Waxman Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Unfortunately for Hill, his double dealing ways have been uncovered.

“Baron Hill was elected to Congress to stand for something and make difficult decisions. Unfortunately for Indiana families, it seems that choosing between party leaders and his constituents is far too difficult for him,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “While the Democrats’ healthcare takeover continues to unravel and middle-class families continue to lose jobs, Indiana needs leaders whose word means something. Baron Hill is yet another Democrat to fold to the pressure of his party bosses and prove his word is untrustworthy.”

As Democrats choose sides over the healthcare war all eyes need to be on Baron Hill. Will Hill stay true to his word and vote no on this tax-hiking and job-killing plan or will he fold to the demands of his party bosses?

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