Republicans are down to their last argument against HCR...

[kentuck]

What will they do? What can they do?

It seems their only argument today is that the polls show most Americans against the bill. However, as usual, they pick and choose whichever polls suit their argument. When people are asked about individual components of the bill, they support it by a huge majority.

Most likely, the Democrats will pass the bill by the reconciliation process and open up an allotted time for debate, maybe 20 hours, and then they will have their vote. Up or down, the majority will win.

Some people, including Democrats like Lawrence O'Donnell, are saying that this process has never been used before on a "standing" piece of legislation. Surprisingly, he made this argument on the Morning Joe Show this morning. His argument was that the bill has not been passed yet so it cannot be amended until then. You cannot "amend" a bill that does not exist.

However, it does exist. It passed the Senate with 60 votes and also passed the House with a public option. They are two different bills. They will have to be reconciled into one bill and then voted on. It will not require 60 votes again. A simple majority could conceivably pass a public option. It is up to the Democrats - not the Republicans - to decide what kind of HCR we get.

[Winterblues]

1. It does not work that way

If the Senate Bill is adjusted in any manner it must go back to the Senate for a vote and
Republicans could filibuster even letting it on the table to be voted upon. Right now the ONLY way is for the House to pass the Senate Bill "as is" and then pray the Senate will do what they say and allow Budget reconciliation amendments for that Bill once it has passed and is really a Bill. Right now there is NO Bill..The Senate can not amend something that does not yet exist..

[kentuck]

2. Are you saying the House does not have a right to amend the Senate version?

According to the Constitution, all laws must originate with the Congress, not the Senate.

If the Senate version disagree with the original House version, then the House must agree with the Senate or offer their amendments for the Senate to vote on once again. The Congress is the final voice on all laws, not the Senate.

Then the question arises, if the Congress amends, does the new bill require a 60-vote majority once again? I would say no.

[Winterblues]

4. No I am saying if they amend it, it "can" be filibustered

Under normal operating procedure it is done in that manner. A senate Bill gets passed, and a House Bill gets passed, and then the two are reconciled into one bill and then that one Bill is once again voted upon in both Houses. Republicans have made no bones about their practice of filibustering any and all Bills presented. They will filibuster the new Bill. That is a given. The ONLY way to prevent that, is for the House to pass the Senate Bill "as is" and then it can go directly to the President's desk. It does not have to be voted upon again. It only has to be voted on again if there are any changes made..Pass the Senate Bill "as is" and then pass any adjustments to it under Budget Reconcilation rules..Adjustments such as Ben Nelson's give away of all Medicaid in his state paid by the federal Government wil be removed..Possibly a Public Option but that one is doubtful.

[kentuck]

5. Interesting...

However, I would think that the "reconciled" bill is not a new bill. It is an amended version of the bill that the Senate already passed with 60 votes. I would expect the Parliamentarian to rule in that way. Or I would expect the VP to overturn the Parliamentarian. The President should not be required to sign any bill until it is finished, amendments and all.

[Tippy]

3. I don't do Morning Joe...

But it was my understanding yesterday the Parlimentarian said (not exact quote) That the Senate Bill had to be signed into law by the President before they could do Reconciliation, this is what O'Donnell was refering to I believe.

I predict we will have HCR in a matter of days...The CBO findings are in, more and more ae signing on to the Public Option..And The Republicans are squealing like stuck hogs..

Further proof:

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) said today that he expects to see language on the health care reform bill today, and expects a vote "in the next 10 days."

Earlier today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced that President Obama would delay his Asia trip by at least three days to work on health care.

Senate Republicans expect a Rules committee markup of the reconciliation measure on Monday.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/clybur...