10 March 2010

Health Reform Runs Into A Brick Wall

Today the 41 GOP senators signed a pledge to vote against any effort to reinstate the 'public option' in the health care reform bill. They will all vote against any effort to overturn the Bryd Rule (reconciliations may only be used for budgetary provisions.) It would take 60 votes to overturn that which they will not get as all 41 Republicans would vote no.

[ The GOPers’ pledge amounts to a threat to block any changes sought by Senate Democrats on issues like abortion or immigration, or perhaps the reintroduction of the public option to the healthcare bill.

“We wish to inform you that we will oppose efforts to waive the so-called Byrd Rule during Senate consideration of any reconciliation bill concerning health reform,” the senators wrote. “As it takes 60 votes to waive the Byrd Rule, we can ensure that any provision that trips the Byrd Rule will be stripped from the bill, which will require that the bill be sent back to the House for further consideration and additional votes.”

The letter has the effect of putting Reid and Democrats on notice that any attempt to go beyond the scope of budget reconciliation rules will be met with fierce GOP opposition. ]

BAM! Didn't see that one coming did ya Democrats?

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