Reid: Dems will use 50-vote tactic to finish healthcare in 60 days

[kpete]

Source: The Hill


Reid: Dems will use 50-vote tactic to finish healthcare in 60 days
By Michael O'Brien - 02/20/10 01:44 PM ET

Democrats will finish their health reform efforts within the next two months by using a majority-vote maneuver in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said.

Reid said that congressional Democrats would likely opt for a procedural tactic in the Senate allowing the upper chamber to make final changes to its healthcare bill with only a simple majority of senators, instead of the 60 it takes to normally end a filibuster.

"I've had many conversations this week with the president, his chief of staff, and Speaker Pelosi," Reid said during an appearance Friday evening on "Face to Face with Jon Ralston" in Nevada. "And we're really trying to move forward on this."

The majority leader said that while Democrats have a number of options, they would likely use the budget reconciliation process to pass a series of fixes to the first healthcare bill passed by the Senate in November. These changes are needed to secure votes for passage of that original Senate bill in the House.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/82461-reid-dems-will-use-50-vote-tactic-to-finish-healthcare-within-60-days

[cutlassmama]

1. why 60 days? I've heard several people say it would only take a day or two

to get passed. Why 60?

[DJ13]

3. Two more months of bipartisan bullcrap?

[groundloop]

7. First the House will need to write and to pass legislation

The way this needs to play out is complicated. The House has to write (and pass)legislation which will fix all the problems with the Senate bill (and it needs to be limited to items which affect the budget so it's eligible for reconciliation). Then the Senate will have to pass that using reconciliation. Then the House will pass the original Senate bill. Then President Obama signs the Senate bill into law, after which he signs the fixes passed through reconciliation into law. Clear as mud, right?

BUT, this is a hell of a lot better than a few weeks ago when it looked like Harry didn't have a clue as to how to proceed. I'm guardedly optimistic.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Past the primaries.

And thinking of a good story.

[pnwmom]

27. We're better off if the stronger reconciliation bill is passed first -- which will take time

since it hasn't even been written yet.

The Senate already passed its version of HCR, so they don't need to see it again -- if the House approves it as is (which it can do safely, if a new bill has already fixed its problems). After the House passes the Senate HCR bill, it goes to Obama for signature.

[bjobotts]

43. No matter how strong the PO becomes it accomplishes what the ins. industry fears the most...

[bjobotts]

44. and that is it allows government involvement in the HC ins industry which can always be expanded

[bjobotts]

45. They fear we will see we don't need a for profit ins. industry at all.Completely unnecessary

[bjobotts]

47. Repubs care only for enriching their corporate masters and not the good of the people.Reconciliation

is the only way to get anything passed their obstructionism. They tried to run the deficit up so high we would not be able to afford SS, Medicare or Medicaid but with reform we will manage all 3 and still handle the deficit. Dems have "plans" and policies that will work...repubs have nothing but criticism and hypocrisy and are by far the dumbest congress critters ever. Shallow and empty headed, and without a clue as to handle our economy...especially in times of emergency. They truly are scary as leaders because they have proven themselves wrong on the economy for the past 50yrs...to the point that even their guru economist Thomas Friedman now admits he was WRONG and apologized for his failed theories. No repub should be elected anywhere in this country for they have not learned from their mistakes and would certainly lead us all right over a cliff.

[pnwmom]

53. I think you're right. A public option now, even if limited now, is a foot in the door,

and that door opening is going to widen and widen.

Whereas their real goal is to destroy Medicare -- that's why they're opposing any measures to get it under control. They want people to think it's impossible for the government to run any good health care system. The last thing they'd want is to fix Medicare.

[breadandwine]

39. They can't resist negotiating with the GOP.

They'll sit there like wimps telling the GOP that they are READY to use reconciliation UNLESS the GOP starts negotiating. The GOP moderates will then be sent out all over again to hoodwink and sucker the Democrats into weeks of fruitless negotiating and then in the end they will crap on the Democrats all over again. The Democrats will use reconciliation as a PLOY to get the GOP to negotiate in EARNEST. Once again the GOP will PRETEND to and then double cross the Democrats all over again. The reason the Democrats will do this is that they are WIMPS.

WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMP, WIMPS, WIMPS, WIMPS.

It's the WIMP FACTOR.


Also, it will take weeks because they don't intend to include anything in the new bill with teeth, such as a public option. It will be mealy mouthed moderation and they will nerd their way through the COMPROMISE instead of being tough.

[annabanana]

2. Hey WHAT?

Am I missing an obvious weasel word or something? This sounds like something might actually happen.

[bluestateguy]

4. We shall see

Bookmarked. Let the clock begin. You have until April 21, Harry.

[Newsjock]

5. Where have the space aliens hidden the real Harry Reid?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[tomm2thumbs]

18. +1

time to up my subscription to 'The News' tabloid - wondering how Bat Boy is doing anyway

[Robb]

21. +2

[HughMoran]

31. Hah!

I know it huh?

Anybody have a picture of a set of testicles handy? :rofl:

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Reid will finish all of us off before he's done.

[AlinPA]

8. Harry Reid will be done in November. He has failed us. nt

[AlinPA]

9. Harry Reid has seen the HCR shadow. He goes into hole for 8 weeks. nt

[Jefferson23]

10. Don't fuck it up, again.

[hisownpetard]

11. Fifty? Not fifty-one?

[karynnj]

12. 50 - Biden then breaks the tie

Prosense had a link to the 2003 tax cut bill passed with 50 with Cheney breaking the tie.

[hisownpetard]

16. Oh, got it! Thanks.

[SnoopDog]

24. We assume Biden will vote yes...........what if he votes nay?

[karynnj]

57. I stand by my assumption -

If you really want to argue Biden voting "no" as a possibility, be my guest. I doubt the probability is greater than .0000000000000001

[defendandprotect]

14. Reid just now discovered 51 votes?????

I want to see the filibusters!!

[secondwind]

15. And don't forget the "all-important" SUMMIT with the GOP gang on Friday!!!

[skyounkin]

58. Thursday.

[EJSTES2005]

17. Probably should have

waited until the repukes implode this Thursday before he got out there to announce that we are going alone anyway ? Most of have us know this "is" the only way to pass this from the start. This should have been done 9 months ago and we would've be able to keep the focus on JOBS. The repug message on jobs could not possibly be worse. But the people driving this HC train have been dreaming at the wheel about bipartisanship. Who really thought that was ever going to happen? Who the hell thought it was a good idea to let those fuckers drag this on for ever ?


How could we have played this any worse ?

[geezerpk]

63. Why did they wait so long?

"This should have been done 9 months ago and we would've be able to keep the focus on JOBS."

Exactly! It would have saved a lot of Senate and House seats come November. Weasel-like behavior isn't often admired by the voting public.

[applegrove]

19. Thank god is it going ahead.

[leftygolfer]

20. Finally!!!

This is the news that I need to hear. For the sake of those that truly need reasons to cheer up, please do not let us down Senator Reid. Too many kicks in the gut already, I need a hand picking me up for once.

[Raine]

22. Health care or payoff to big pharma and insurance

companies, nothing good will come from Harry Reid's promises. x(

[Kablooie]

23. They have to get it through before the fall elections

60 days would be great it were really done.
It's hard to believe anything nowadays though.

[kestrel91316]

25. Harry, i don't wanna hear you flapping your lips about it. I wanna see you DO IT.

Now STFU and get to work.

[Blue_Tires]

26. can they write some guts back into the bill?

[Citizen Kang]

28. Better put a public option in that bill

Better have a Public Option or expansion of Medicare in that Reconciliation bill or I can't support it. It just another bailout to a failed industry if they force private mandated insurance on us.

[Better Believe It]

30. The real question is what kind of public option will be included?

[HughMoran]

32. I bet a million dollars you won't like it no matter what it is

So why are you asking?

[Citizen Kang]

52. Well

If they put a Public Option in it, you owe me a million dollars. That's what will make me support the bill.

[No Elephants]

29. On Keith Olberman, Lawrence O'Donnell was saying that, even in budget reconciliation, some

procedural votes require 60 votes.


Are they delaying to assure they are not primaried over lack of the public option?

I am so over this whole cluster flock.

[backscatter712]

34. I think O'Donnell's overstating the obstacles.

The biggest issue is the Byrd Rule, which states that legislation passed with reconciliation rules must have something to do with the budget, must only increase the deficit in accordance with the underlying budget bill (which in this case allows no deficit increases) or otherwise must affect government revenues and spending.

If the Senate parliamentarian rules a particular clause is not Byrd Rule compliant, then the Senate would have to vote on a waiver to keep it in the bill, which would require 60 votes.

But most of the House/Senate conference stuff that's already been agreed upon is Byrd Rule compliant (with the exception of things like revoking the anti-trust exemption for insurers, which is going in a separate bill.) And the public option, because it spends some federal money to seed it, and would cause competition in the health care industry that would drive down prices and reduce Medicare & Medicaid expenditures, would be Byrd Rule compliant.

I'm not too horribly worried about the Byrd Rule - the legal staff's gonna make damned sure the bill's worded to be Byrd-Rule compliant.

[totodeinhere]

54. Having been an Senate staffer, O'Donnell is an expert on all of this.

I would take what he is saying very seriously if I were you.

[joeglow3]

36. You nailed it

Republicans can, if they want, demand a vote on an unlimited number of procedural votes. Could be an intersting battle. Wish I did not work so I could watch it on C-SPAN (as nerdy as that is).

[DFW]

33. Put up or shut up:

But just in case someone from Sen. Reid's office sees this--don't get me wrong, we definitely prefer the put up option!!!!

[AllyCat]

35. Will they finish it with a public option? Or just finish all of us?

I'm sorry. I have no faith in Harry Reid. At all. I really hope I'm eating crow in 60 days, but I doubt it.

[New Dawn]

67. It will probably just be an Individual Mandate.

Which is exactly what the "health" insurance conglomerates have wanted all along.

[Abq_Sarah]

75. Both

The mandate remains but you can choose the public option vs private insurance.

[SandWalker1984]

37. "pass a series of fixes to the first healthcare bill " - I wanna know what's getting fixed 1st

The Senate version of a health care bill is a piece of crap, and I'm saying that as nicely as I can.

It's the Corporate Health Insurance Profits Protection Act. Plain and simple. Mandatory private, corporate insurance without regulation of what rates can be charged to us, the 30 million new victims. Just what Rahm promised the health "care" corporations in secret. The insurance companies are already raising rates by up to 39% in some states and we are to believe they won't take advantage once insurance becomes MANDATORY by law, with fines???

Our country cannot be competitive in the world economy when we spend 3 trillion dollars a year for our health care.

You can't "fix" the garbage the Senate passed as health care, unless they get the balls to open up Medicare as a public option for ANY American who wishes to opt in.

What they probably mean by "fix" is to throw a few little token changes into the garbage bill, shove it thru Congress, then go on the talk shows to brag about how pretty the pony is that they gave us. Ever see that commercial???

[houston mark]

38. You mean they will finally act like the majority party???

If they have the nuts to pull this off they might earn back my respect and find their own self respect. I have not given a dime to the DNC since this bullshit started last year and do not intend to until they do something with health care.

[The Hope Mobile]

40. The question is . . . will this include a public option?

Will they even push for it? I'd like to think yes but . . .

[Ferret Annica]

41. A hair sprouted on Harry's chest, how cool.

It's about damn time.

[Skink]

42. He'll get it done then retire.

[SlingBlade]

46. First it was 60 votes, Now its 60 days, Whats next, 60 Minutes ?

Maybe he thinks we'll all just forget about it in 60 days, Specially
if some Wag The Dog episode come along

[brewens]

49. When I see Health Ins. Co. stocks dive I will believe

they are doing something worthwhile.

[harun]

68. Same thing I was looking for. They can spin the reform any way

they want but until the market (stock) shows the for-profit insurers stock dropping, it is same shit different day.

[veganlush]

50. I'm sorry to say it but this is what they've done to

..some of their staunchest supporters: made them into doubters. talk is cheap, I'll believe it when I see it and I ain't holding my breath..they're gonna ask the repugnants permission before they proceed I just know it. wake me when it's over...

[Suji to Seoul]

51. Oh, please let this be true. AND IT BETTER INCLUDE A STRONG PUBLIC OPTION, HARRY!!!!

Or else it's just window dressing and nothing more!!!

[DisgustedInMN]

55. Golly gee Harry..

.. if only someone had thought of using the budget reconciliation process to get this done before! :sarcasm:<----Did I actually need to use that?

[warm regards]

56. On again...off again...on...

[WillyT]

59. Good !!!

K & R !!!

:kick:

[nightrain]

60. if Dems are going the reconciliation route and will include some sort of PO, then

why not make the PO an improved, comprehensive, and truly affordable Medicare buy in for anyone who wants it?

Or would that be too upsetting to the insurance corps? Probably. We'll get some watered down POS probably. And that will be deemed a *huge* advancement. Meanwhile many will still not be able to afford disease management insurance.

[Yeahyeah]

61. He knows Old Christine's doing health care episode Wednesday night,

so they've got to get with it.

"The New Adventures of Old Christine 8:00 PM, CBS

Never one to stay on top of current events, Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is comically aghast about the health care situation in America after she discovers a suspicious mole and panics when she cannot get into a doctor's office fast enough. On another front, Richard (Clark Gregg) flirts with disaster when he decides to move back in with New Christine (Emily Rutherfurd). Hamish Linklater also stars in "The Mole." "


http://tv.msn.com/tv/tonightspicks.aspx?of=3

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/old_christine/

They realize that as goes Old Christine,so goes the country.

[emsimon33]

62. He better start doing something or he is OUT!

What a loser!

[BlueIdaho]

64. They had all better do something or start packing their bags.

[emsimon33]

73. Agreed! More of the same was not the change we believed in!

[pleah]

65. How many people without health insurace will die in 60 days?

I'm really stating to hate these people we have in Washington DC.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wordpix]

69. OK, Dems, just DO IT!! Stop f-ing around and pass the public option

[Change Happens]

70. I LOVE YOU MAN.............

[harun]

71. This brings up the question of: "What was the Senate bill suppose to

accomplish?". One has to think the Senate bill was the way it was to kill reform, right? I mean if it is going to take another 60 days after the Senate already passed the bill, what the hell were they thinking when they passed it? They knew the provisions in the Senate bill were so bad the House wouldn't go along with them. What a horrible waste of time.

[The Stranger]

72. Why is he announcing -- why the fuck hasn't he already done it months ago?

[democracy1st]

74. kick