Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Paul: Pence should oversee Senate ObamaCare repeal votes
Source: The Hill
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says Vice President Pence should oversee the Senate's debate on the GOP healthcare plan, pitching the idea as a solution to end the current stalemate in the House over replacing ObamaCare.
Paul suggested that a "firm commitment" that Pence would preside over the Senate — and be the one making decisions about what can be included in the bill — would help reassure conservative House members that their changes won't be stripped out by the Senate's parliamentarian.
Paul, speaking to reporters about what could help the House reach a deal, responded, "If President Trump and Vice President Pence made a public declaration that they are willing to make the vice president sit in the chair and have the vice president make the judgment on what is allowable under Senate rules."
The move, which Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) has been pushing for weeks, would allow Pence to expand the scope of the legislation by effectively overruling the parliamentarian to bulk up the legislation with measures supported by conservatives.
"Are we going to let the parliamentarian decide what should be in the bill or are we going to let the vice president?" Paul questioned during a call with reporters.
Paul suggested that a "firm commitment" that Pence would preside over the Senate — and be the one making decisions about what can be included in the bill — would help reassure conservative House members that their changes won't be stripped out by the Senate's parliamentarian.
Paul, speaking to reporters about what could help the House reach a deal, responded, "If President Trump and Vice President Pence made a public declaration that they are willing to make the vice president sit in the chair and have the vice president make the judgment on what is allowable under Senate rules."
The move, which Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) has been pushing for weeks, would allow Pence to expand the scope of the legislation by effectively overruling the parliamentarian to bulk up the legislation with measures supported by conservatives.
"Are we going to let the parliamentarian decide what should be in the bill or are we going to let the vice president?" Paul questioned during a call with reporters.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/325544-rand-paul-let-pence-preside-over-senate-obamacare-repeal-votes