White House photo, Pete SouzaPresident Obama addressed the nation today on the issue of health care reform today. He endorsed using the congressional process of reconciliation to pass the bill through, while calling on Democrats to stand strong in the coming weeks. Reconciliation is a tactic used to pass bills with a simple majority. Instead of needing 60 votes (with 59 Democrats in the Senate), the Democrats would only need 51 votes.
I know what you're thinking..."We only needed 50 votes this whole time?! This is awesome!" (or the opposite, of course). Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple? After the House Bill is passed, both bills enter reconciliation. They then can only include fiscal budget measures, and amendments deemed relevant to the bill. Debate is limited to 20 hours. Both houses vote on the second bill and must approve it by a simple majority.
This seems like a logical option, but the Democrats have a lot riding on it. The fall midterm elections are only eight months away. According to Mitch McConnell (R-KY), “They’re making a vigorous effort to try to jam this down the throats of the American people, who don’t want it”. If they pass the bill through reconciliation, there could be a large Republican backlash. If they don't pass the bill, there will be a large liberal backlash.
I guess someone's stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I know what you're thinking..."We only needed 50 votes this whole time?! This is awesome!" (or the opposite, of course). Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple? After the House Bill is passed, both bills enter reconciliation. They then can only include fiscal budget measures, and amendments deemed relevant to the bill. Debate is limited to 20 hours. Both houses vote on the second bill and must approve it by a simple majority.
This seems like a logical option, but the Democrats have a lot riding on it. The fall midterm elections are only eight months away. According to Mitch McConnell (R-KY), “They’re making a vigorous effort to try to jam this down the throats of the American people, who don’t want it”. If they pass the bill through reconciliation, there could be a large Republican backlash. If they don't pass the bill, there will be a large liberal backlash.
I guess someone's stuck between a rock and a hard place.
P.S: does anyone else think it's creepy that everyone in the audience was wearing lab coats? I know they were doctors. But still...
More info on reconciliation:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/03/03/89797/heres-how-reconciliation-works.html
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