Has the bill passed, or not, or what the hell?

[murdoch]

I don't even know what is going on. I see Obama signing a bill, yet they are bringing the reconciliation package to the Senate floor.

Are they still arguing with the parliamentarian? What if the Senate rejects reconciliation or the Republicans find some rule/tactic to derail, or delay, it? What would that mean - that the Senate bill is passed but the amendments do not? Or does that derail the entire thing?

When does this thing really pass? Or has part 1 passed and part 2 (the amendments) is on its way to passing?

[FBaggins]

1. The President has signed what we knew as "The Senate Bill"

The reconciliation package is an attempt to FIX the Senate bill and come closer to what had been known as "The House Bill" (minus the Stupak language).

[Richardo]

2. The bill is law. The GOP is trying to derail reconciliation improvements.

If they succeed, then the bill signed today is the law. Which is what the Senate Dems promised the House Dems would NOT happen. But still, insurance reform is the law and the only thing the GOP can do now is go to find some 'activist judges' to legislate from the bench.

[pnwmom]

6. It will be funny to watch them fight the improvements since many of the problems in the bill --

such as the earmarks -- have been things the Rethugs have decried all along. Now we get to watch them twist themselves up in knots over this.

[RobinA]

11. They Would Never

do that, they are against that sort of thing!

[pnwmom]

3. The Senate bill has been passed and signed. Now the reconciliation bill, that includes

the amendments the House required and that a majority of Senators have promised to approve, will come up for debate and a vote -- hopefully this week.

[elocs]

4. You really need to pay closer attention. The Senate bill was signed into law.

Reconciliation address the differences the House bill has with the Senate bill and so the Senate needs to approve those and then the President will sign the improved bill.

[liberal N proud]

5. Here is what has happened in the last 48 hours

The republicans tried to stop the passing of the bill, but late Friday night they succumbed at the hands of the Democrats and Stupak and the Health Care bill passed by the Senate last fall was voted on and passed with 219 votes.

They then defeated a motion by the republicans to recommit followed by a vote on Reconciliation.

The republicans have been crying in their beer ever since.

Today, the President signed the Joint Senate/House bill, while the Senate debates the reconciliation bill passed in the House.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. The president has signed in, but it still needs to be carried to Rivendell...

where it needs to be blessed by a cleric of St. Cuthbert of 10th level or greater. Once it makes a saving throw vs. magic missle, the bill will be given to a committee of X-mas elves, who will repackage the bill and once a waiting period of six to eight weeks passes, a council of village elders will vote on making the bill an official decree. The vote must be unanimous or the process will start over.

[Posteritatis]

8. To clue in a Canadian here, my impression is that the vast majority is law...

...with the reconciliation package being mainly revisions of a few outstanding sections.

Is my impression correct?

[shraby]

9. That's right, but the house threw in a student loan provision

that will most likely get the Republican's underwear in a collective bunch. (they never do anything alone)

[Posteritatis]

10. I saw that part; that was quite great

Several of my friends down there are struggling with college costs so that might be a boon to them.

Thanks for the confirmation re: the health bill!