Dem congressman: I'm fine starting over

Republicans are gleefully circulating this story that Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat, is open to restarting the health care debate in the fall — just like congressional Republicans want.

From the Kansas City Star:

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver told reporters this morning he's willing to start from scratch on a health care reform bill, as many Republicans have suggested.



"I'm willing to push the reset button," Cleaver said, although he appeared skeptical about the prospects for any new legislation from a restart of the process. The Missouri Democrat also said health care reform is "too important" to be passed with only Democratic votes, as White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has recently suggested.

Cleaver also said if health reform isn't passed by year's end, it won't happen. That, he agreed, effectively gives the GOP veto power over any legislation for the next 90 days or so, once Congress returns after Labor Day.

— Manu Raju