Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn Threatens Democrats Wavering On Healthcare Vote

NewsOn6.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. --  At a news conference in Washington, D.C. Thursday, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn vowed to block any special deals for House members who switch their vote from "no" to "yes" on the healthcare bill.

Senator Coburn is planning to use the bill's lack of popularity with voters as a weapon against members of the House.  Since no Republicans have voiced support for the bill, it appears his statement is aimed at any Democrats who would switch their votes and then lose their elections in November.

Coburn announced that he'll use his powers as a senator to block the nominations of any lawmakers who change their votes from "no" to "yes" on healthcare, and who, after being voted out of office, are then nominated by the president for a federal job.

"If you voted no and you vote yes, and you lose your election, and you think any nomination to a federal position isn't going to be held in the Senate, I've got news for you. It's going to be held," Senator Coburn said.

But that was only one of the warnings Coburn delivered.  He also said he and seven other senators will be looking for any kind of secret deal any member made with the White House in exchange for a "yes" vote.

"We will look at every appropriations bill, at every level, at every instance, and we will outline it by district, and we will associate that with the buying of your vote," Coburn said.  "So, if you think you can cut a deal now, and it not come out until after the election, I want to tell you that isn't going to happen.  And be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House."

The House is expected to vote this weekend on the Senate version of the healthcare bill which was passed in December.

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