Rep. Shimkus Asks Abortion Questions, Hot Mic Picks Up 'Oh Here We Go!'
But, who's on first?
During Wednesday morning's House hearing on the Obamacare website, a hot mic caught an unknown female voice expressing exasperation when Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus asked HHS Sec. Kathleen Sebelius a question about the healthcare plans insurance coverage for abortion.
Shimkus: "If someone, a constituent of mine or someone in this country, has strongly-held pro-life views..."
HOT MIC: "Oh, here we go!"
Shimkus: "Can you commit to us to make sure that the federal exchanges that offer that is clearly identified and so people understand that they're going to buy a policy that has abortion coverage or not? Because, right now, you cannot make that determination."
Shimkus then requested that Sebelius provide a list of the insurers in the exchange that do not offer abortion as part of their packages.
"I think we can do that, sir," Sebelius replied.
"Well, you should be able to do it," the congressman shot back.
"I just said..."
"No, you said if we can do it," he said.
"No, 'I think we can do that' is what I said," Sebelius replied.
"I think? Or I know we can do that?" the lawmaker continued.
"Sir. I can't tell you what I don't know firmly right now," she said as Shimkus' time -- thankfully -- expired.
With all the noise being made by the GOP over Healthcare.gov's website glitches, you would think there would've been a full house for the hearing today with Sebelius, right? There were only 13 who attended. They demanded the hearing, and got it, and no one came.
Almost enough to make you think they care more about getting on TV talking about how bad they think Obamacare is than, you know, working to fix it.