Trumka To Senate Dems: Pass New Health Care Bill Through Reconciliation

[IndianaGreen]

Trumka To Senate Dems: Pass New Health Care Bill Through Reconciliation

First Posted: 01-26-10 06:22 PM | Updated: 01-26-10 06:51 PM

One of the most powerful union officials in the country is urging Senate Democratic leaders to craft an entirely new health care bill and pass it using reconciliation before sending it to the House of Representatives for a vote.

Richard Trumka, who heads the union federation AFL-CIO, stressed in an interview with the Huffington Post that the key to getting legislation passed was for the Senate to move first. This could be either by pre-emptively amending the bill they have already passed or by constructing new legislation and using parliamentary tactics to get it considered by an up or down vote.

"I don't think there are the votes in the House to pass the Senate bill," Trumka said. "I don't think they exist. I think the ball is in the Senate's court. The Senate has to come up with 51 votes for a bill that the American public can accept and that the House can get the votes to pass. So I think it is up to the Senate right now."

"If you were a House member would you accept that or would you say to them you produce the 51 votes and the bill and then we will come on board?" Trumka asked.

The remarks represent some of the most direct strategy suggestions offered by union officials since the health care reform process hit is current, critical impasse. They also reflect an ongoing push among proponents of the House's legislation to see the Senate modify its bill as a first step towards finding consensus between the chambers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/26/trumka-to-senate-dems-pas_n_437729.html

[doc03]

1. I think unless they clean up the bill and eliminate about

1950 pages the thing is radioactive.

[gkhouston]

2. +1. n/t

[KoKo]

3. K&R...Some "crowd" is already doing the "UnRec" shuffle.