"And on top of that, they're imposing mandates on us without picking up the tab".
The second bill would impose mandates on manufacturers along with penalties for those that fail to comply.
In one sour note, Republicans boycotted the first vote on the issue by the Senate Rules Committee, complaining that only a Democratic bill imposing mandates on states was being considered.
Mr. Pataki has disappointed business groups by agreeing to impose mandates on private insurance, like infertility treatment, which employers say will drive up costs for everyone.
Mr. McCain, in arguing that Mr. Obama favors government solutions to the plight of the uninsured, charged that Mr. Obama would "impose mandates" on small businesses to provide coverage for employees and on parents to insure their children.
It differs significantly from Mr. Schumer's bill in that it would impose mandates on all states to meet minimum federal standards established by a panel after a period of study, whether or not the states take federal grants.
Examples of such countries include India, Canada, Australia, and the U.S. In addition, many central governments in these and other countries have tried to introduce health care reform that would in various ways impose mandates on the regional authorities.
Third, the government can impose mandates on the private sector requiring companies to adopt electric vehicles, purchase clean energy and conserve energy.
The federal government represents voters, so it can tax voters and impose mandates on voters, whether these mandates oblige constituents to join militias or buy muskets (as did the Militia Act of 1792, signed into law by President George Washington), to serve on juries, or buy health-care insurance.
This is not the time for knee-jerk legislation, but rather it's the time to pause, engage in discussion and seek to understand all viewpoints and potential consequences before imposing mandates and additional requirements on businesses.
