NOT SO FAST

GOP Reconsiders Medicare Overhaul

Lawmaker says bill will never pass Senate.

Though top Republicans are still gung-ho about the initiative to overhaul Medicare in the budget plan, the head lawmaker with the authority to enact their proposal has announced he has no intention of doing so in the near future. "I'm not interested in talking about whether the House is going to pass a bill that the Senate shows no interest in," said Michigan Rep. Dave Camp during an appearance at the National Press Club. The Ways and Means Committee chairman added: "I'm not interested in laying down more markers. I am interested in solutions." Even though other GOP lawmakers had voted to pass the budget in the House just last month and have continued pushing it in town hall meetings over the last few weeks, Camp's statement indicates, along with those from other top GOP reps, that the party's Medicare proposal has been waived. "The reality is this president has excoriated our budget plan and the Medicare proposal in the plan," said Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA).