Beck falsely claims “deem and pass” was used to pass health care reform

Beck: “deem and pass ... gave the final passage to Obamacare.” On his Fox News show, Glenn Beck said of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

In fact, it was SEIU's then-president Andy Stern, the most frequent visitor to the White House by far, who pushed for the tactic known as deem and pass. That gave the final passage of Obamacare. It was supposed to help the unions -- Affordable Care Act. [Glenn Beck, 11/29/10]

FACT: House Democrats did not use “deem and pass” to finalize health care reform

McClatchy: “House Democratic leaders dropped a controversial plan that would have 'deemed' Senate-approved health care legislation passed.” From a March 20 McClatchy Newspapers article:

Inside the building, House Democratic leaders dropped a controversial plan that would have “deemed” Senate-approved health care legislation passed as part of a resolution setting rules of debate but would not have required House members to vote directly on the legislation.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Democrats abandoned “deem and pass” because the party leadership is confident that the votes to pass the health care bill.

“We determined that we could do this and it's a better process,” Hoyer told reporters. “We believe we have the votes.”

The maneuver had been seen as a way to allow Democrats to avoid voting on the bill, but Democrats were uneasy about the prospect. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., said it looked like a “back door deal.”

“We've had sanity prevail here,” said Rep. Dennis Cordoza, D-Calif., a supporter of the legislation. “This is something that should be done in the light of day.” [McClatchy Newspapers, 3/20/10]

FoxNews.com: “House opts against 'deeming' health care bill passed.” From a FoxNews.com article headlined “House Opts Against 'Deeming' Health Care Bill Passed”:

House Democrats on Saturday decided against using a controversial tactic to pass the Senate's version of the health care bill without an actual vote.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-MD., said he believes Democrats have enough votes to pass the legislation.

The decision capped an ongoing discussion on whether to use a so-called “deem and pass” strategy that would allow House members to approve the Senate version of health care bill without an actual vote before taking up a second “fix-it” resolution, known as reconciliation.

[...]

Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., cheered the decision by Democrats to abandon “deem and pass,”calling it a sign that Democrats are buckling under pressure. [FoxNews.com, 3/20/10]

House voted to adopt Senate bill, passing health care reform legislation. On March 21, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Senate's version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 219-215.

Beck claims he could not “just make things up and remain on the air”

Beck: “Do you really believe that I could ... just make things up and remain on the air?” Earlier, Beck said:

I would ask Mr. Dean to help me out. What is it that we make up? I would ask you to just take a moment here -- do you really believe that I could -- or anybody here at Fox News could -- just make things up and remain on the air? No. [Glenn Beck, 11/29/10]