Protesters target Minnick, though they’re on same side

WASHINGTON – People with ties to Glenn Beck’s 9-12 Project, Tea Party Boise and other conservative causes plan a protest outside Rep. Walt Minnick’s office this weekend, with the claim that the Idaho Democrat co-sponsored one of the health care bills that Congress is considering.

Their assertion is untrue, however; Minnick never sponsored such legislation. Minnick, who was one of 39 Democrats in the House of Representatives to vote against health care legislation in November, also has said repeatedly over the past week that he won’t support the revised bill Sunday when it comes up for a vote in the House.

The Republican National Committee, which suggested Thursday that McClatchy Newspapers look into the story, admitted its research was inaccurate.

“We are completely wrong, and I apologize,” RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox said Friday.

The confusion stemmed from how the bill has moved through Congress. In October, Minnick and a bipartisan group of 39 other House members sponsored legislation unrelated to health care: a bill that gave veterans a home-buying credit. The bill passed the House unanimously.

The Senate took the veterans legislation, gutted it of all its content and used the shell of the bill as its vehicle for health care, since all legislation that addresses taxing and revenue must originate in the House. The Senate then sent it back to the House, with only the bill number remaining the same.

“This is a very typical procedure that is used by the Senate all the time,” said Katie Grant, a spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Minnick said he was disappointed that people would knowingly misrepresent his position.