Dr. Bob Goes to D.C.

A hastily-arranged trip to lobby for repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act was prompted by the sudden
scheduling of the Senate Judiciary Committees hearing on the Cassidy Bill; printed-out 100 copies of the
handout [with the Kurdistan issue to be emphasized, time-permitting, noting concomitant referendum,
to reinforce prior phone-calls during prior months].

Thus, Sunday-p.m., pushed-fluids so that a natural alarm-clock would ring @ 3 a.m. Monday; AMTRAK
in Philly [30th St. Station] was invoked [5 a.m. departure, midnight return].

Having arrived early, wandered hallways and Informed personnel that the large [empty] space to the north
of the ticket-counter had been used for art-exhibits during prior decades [e.g., Red Grooms]; napped
during both train-rides.

Having mapped out rounds that started on the House side, descended buildings [Rayburn Longworth
Cannon] and floors [to maximize efficiency]; plenty of walking-energy was expended [in lieu of visiting
Planet Fitness], yielding visits to two-dozen offices.

Finished House-side by 10 a.m. and Senate-side by noon, encountering numerous staffers with whom the
goals resonated; emphasized time-frame pressure if amendment was to be inserted.

Upon arrival to the hearing-floor [Dirksen 215], encountered ~300 Medicaid-recipients who were rallying
against TrumpCare; partook a slice of [excellent pepperoni] pizza c/o Sen. Ron Wyden and testified on
SSA-ODAR case @ 1:15 p.m.

Brought-along a portable folding chair but Capital Police claimed they are fire-hazards [it was metal/cloth,
c/o my son]; was also told that sitting was a form of protest and, thus, had to stand.

Protesters, of course, functioned under no such constraints; there was no enforcement, and no arrests.

Watched initial hearing in overflow-room after a ~15-minute recess [because the protesters were yelling],
down one flight; then relocated and got into the hearing-room ~ 3 p.m., after most Medicaid recipients
had started to depart [organized by Act!].

There were only eight [8] seats reserved for the public, so there was no opportunity to exit and re-enter;
nevertheless, chatted with Santorum and Cassidys healthcare advisor during a break [for senators to
vote].

Handed them the handout; the latter took it meekly, claiming knowledge of M-F but not commenting on
how it might be handled, whereas the former [aloofly, as has been his behavior-pattern over the decades
since I first encountered him a quarter-century ago, discussing welfare reform] refused to accept/read it.

Santorum said this would be blocked by Byrd Rule, despite my reflex-replies that [1]enhanced
competition would decrease federal costs during the upcoming decade, and [2]the senators could over-
rule the parliamentarian were he to rule in this fashion.

Event ended @ 7:30 p.m., distributed extra handouts outside office-doors prior to building-closure @ 8
p.m., and trekked back to Union Station; had Chinese food prior to boarding 10:10 return-train.
Curiously, had rejected opportunity to depart on the 8:30 p.m. Palmetto, deciding to redirect $14-fee to
dinner; as it turned-out, that train was inexplicably delayed, departing @ 10 p.m.

Mightily displeased that effort was abandoned, when they could merely have repealed M-F and declared
victory [noting it had passed overwhelmingly in the House].