You know for the usually staid English calling out in Parliament is not only typical but it is a part of the hurly-burly actual debating style of the council. Representatives hoot, jeer, call out, and boo their opponents. The minor incident of calling out in our august chamber has a precedent: English democratic practice. It really shouldn't be that big a deal, or we could simply advocate change.
The irony in the incident, and dismissal, is that Rep. Wilson is correct. Obama was lying. Wilson was telling the truth. H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on non-citizens. The CRS (Congressional Research Office) reports do not get released to the public. CRS offers private analysis to members of Congress on request, but rarely do they see the light of day. However, David Freddoso got his hands on a copy of the 11-page analysis, “Treatment of Non-Citizens in HR3200″ late last night, and confirmed its reading:
In its subsection on health insurance subsidies (known as “affordability credits”), HR 3200 does state, “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.” That would seem to solve the problem, but it’s more rhetoric than reality. The bill contains no verification requirement or enforcement process for citizenship or legal residency, as exists for other federal benefit programs. The only verification required for the subsidies pertains to family income. Beyond that, as the CRS report notes, everything is left in the hands of the Health Choices Commissioner.
House Democrats defeated all attempts in committee to add an enforcement mechanism that would require proof of citizenship or legal residency for those getting subsidies.
In short, illegal immigrants will get health care; Obama lied.
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