Community | February 18, 2010 | 5 comments

Democratic senators express discomfort/outright opposition to using reconciliation to thwart filibusters on health care

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul

If next week's meeting does not break the logjam, congressional Democrats will face a tough choice. They can pass a highly diluted health care bill or nothing at all, which would send them into the November elections with a high-profile failure despite their control of Congress and the White House.

Or they can use an assertive and contentious tactic, known as reconciliation, to pass a far-reaching health care bill in the Senate without having to face GOP delaying tactics. Democrats lost their ability to block filibusters when Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown won a Senate seat last month.

Both parties have used reconciliation rules in the past. But Republicans have practically dared Democrats to do so on health care, citing polls showing significant opposition to the legislation.

It's unclear whether the House or Senate can muster the necessary votes. Democrats, who now hold 255 of the House's 435 seats, drew only one GOP ally when the House passed its health care bill, 220-215, last November. Since then, one Democrat who voted for the bill has resigned, one has died and a third plans to leave office Feb. 28. Moreover, changes meant to meet Senate demands could peel away enough liberals on one end, and party centrists on the other, to cause the revised bill to fail.

In the Senate, Democrats control 59 seats, and reconciliation rules require only a simple majority. But several Democratic senators have expressed discomfort or outright opposition to using the rules to thwart filibusters on health care.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday that Obama plans to have a health care proposal that "will take some of the best ideas and put them into a framework" ahead of the Feb. 25 summit. The White House has invited Republicans to bring their own proposals, but GOP leaders have treated the event warily at best.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said Thursday, "a productive, bipartisan conversation on health care starts with a clean sheet of paper." His office labeled next week's meeting the "summit of all fears."

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  1. groups:
    Community,   Health,   US Politics,   US Congress Watch
  2. tags:
    Democrats,  Health Care,  reconciliation
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5 comments // Democratic senators express discomfort/outright opposition to using reconciliation to thwart filibusters on health care

  • bansheewail
    • 0
      bansheewail  

    • This is the actual title of this article. "Obama keeps all-Democratic health care option open".

      Cherry picking for dramatic affect, huh? Well, now, isn't that very Fox News of you. hahahahaha

    • 2 years ago
  • HowdyDo
  • bansheewail
    • 0
      bansheewail  

    • Obama's Healthcare Bill will be released on Monday. Dem. caucus meeting Monday night. Tuesday......there will be a shitstorm of whining from the GOP. They had their chance to play ball and they chose to ride the bench. Here come a high, hard one, right down the middle!! It's a Change-up!!!!!

    • 2 years ago
  • HowdyDo
    • +3
      HowdyDo  

    • Would someone please tell those Democrats to grow a pair and use the damn reconciliation process to get us our damn affordable health care??? Do you know how pissed we will be if you miss this opportunity because "it makes you uncomfortable?" Repubs don't play fair - disseminating false information about the legislation - death panels? Come on!! The insurance companies are increasing their rates in double digits!! Record profits!!! Some guy just ran a plane into an IRS building!! The natives are getting restless, so give us our f-ing health care while you can, why don't you??? If it doesn't happen now, it won't for a very, very long time and Repubs are counting on that. Do SOMETHING worthwhile while you are there, please.

    • 2 years ago
  • CarlosIsDown
HowdyDo
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