House Democrats Want to Enact Legislation WITHOUT Voting on It
This morning’s article from CongressDaily reveals that, despite the rumors surrounding the Senate’s consideration of a reconciliation bill, House Democrats are continuing to embark upon their “Slaughter Strategy” of enacting the Senate bill into law without ever voting on it. This would of course violate the President’s repeated demands for an “up-or-down” vote on his health proposals—and it would classify as the parliamentary “trick” promised by Speaker Pelosi’s office weeks ago.
Given these developments, many may ask exactly what in the Senate bill House Democrats find so offensive that they are afraid to take an up-or-down vote on passing the measure – is it the “Cornhusker Kickback,” the “Louisiana Purchase,” “Gator Aid,” and all the other backroom deals assembled to obtain votes for the bill? Is it the “Cadillac tax” on health plans that their union constituents find offensive? Is it the bill’s federal funding for insurance plans that cover abortion, and for abortions performed at community health centers? Or is it the very notion of a $2.3 trillion government takeover of health care?
Dems Dispute GOP Claims On Order Of Reconciliation
Friday, March 12, 2010
by Anna Edney with Dan Friedman contributingA Republican claim said to be based on advice from the Senate parliamentarian does not throw Democrats off plans for how to pass a healthcare overhaul, according to aides and sources.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans pushed the idea that the $871 billion Senate-passed overhaul bill must first be signed by the president before the Senate could vote on a reconciliation bill that will include changes to the upper chamber’s bill.
“The Senate Parliamentarian’s office has informed Senate Republicans that reconciliation instructions require the measure to make changes in law,” a GOP aide said.
Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad was under the same impression, but the House is not worried.
A House leadership aide said Thursday the House has different rules and is safe with the choices it has to proceed. That includes a rule that would declare the Senate bill passed upon passage of the reconciliation package, in effect helping House Democrats avoid an uncomfortable vote on the Senate-passed bill.
The aide then said the president would sign the Senate-passed bill before the Senate votes on reconciliation. It would appear that could cause a problem with House members who distrust the Senate to actually pass the reconciliation bill, but the aide said the House is good with proceeding that way.
At the same time, Senate Republicans’ characterization of what the parliamentarian relayed to them leaves out a second part.
The reconciliation package cannot directly amend the Senate bill if it is not law, but Republicans were also told the reconciliation package can be written to tweak existing law or create a law. That means if written carefully, the Senate bill does not have to become law before reconciliation comes up, though it is difficult.
A Republican aide confirmed the parliamentarian told them the additional information.
Meanwhile, the House Rules Committee will make a decision on how to proceed after CBO numbers come in on a final reconciliation bill. Rules could meet as early as Wednesday. The House Budget Committee will meet on the reconciliation bill Monday, meaning CBO scores should come before then. Budget Committee Republicans plan to hold a press conference today to push back against reconciliation.
House Majority Leader Hoyer‘s office will brief staff on health legislation at 10 a.m., following a 9 a.m. Democratic Caucus meeting. Hoyer’s office did not answer whether the discussion will be on the final reconciliation bill.
House and Senate leaders met Thursday evening with White House Chief of Staff Emanuel and health reform czar Nancy-Ann DeParle but exited with no updates.
Leaders were still determining whether student loan legislation should be part of the reconciliation package. But a leadership aide said opposition appeared to have “changed dramatically.”
Following a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting Thursday afternoon on putting student loan legislation in the reconciliation package, Senate Majority Whip Durbin said the caucus is leaning toward its inclusion. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Tom Harkin made a presentation at the meeting in favor of including the student loan bill, while Conrad made one that was not totally opposed, according to senators.
Meanwhile, the healthcare effort is affecting efforts to renew dozens of tax breaks for businesses and individuals, extend benefits for laid-off workers and prevent a drastic cut in Medicare physician payments. The Senate passed its $140 billion measure Wednesday, but used nearly $40 billion in offsets the White House has set aside for the healthcare bill.
“I think health care will be the priority, which means that some of the offsets [in the extender bill] may have to be replaced,” Durbin said. “I think we’ll find things.”