GOP Senators Unite Behind Strategy To Bleed Reconciliation To Death. Biden best start limbering up.

[jefferson_dem]

GOP Senators Unite Behind Strategy To Bleed Reconciliation To Death

Looks like the Senate GOP caucus is all in on the strategy to bleed reconciliation to death with the “Byrd rule.”

I first reported here the other day that anonymous Senate GOP aides had developed a strategy to stall or derail reform: Invoke the “Byrd rule” to strip individual provisions out of the reconciliation fix, forcing it back to the House for new votes countless times.

For a refresher on that, go here.

Well, now the Senate GOP leadership is doubling down on the strategy, saying publicly that the entire GOP caucus is united behind it. All 41 GOP Senators have signed a letter to Harry Reid pledging to use this tactic:

In that regard, to endeavor to ensure that the reconciliation process is not used to fast-track an unpopular bill through Congress, we wish to inform you that we will oppose efforts to waive the so-called Byrd Rule during Senate consideration of any reconciliation bill concerning health reform. The Byrd Rule, as you know, was created by Senator Byrd to ensure that reconciliation bills were not used to enact policy changes, the primary purpose of which is not specifically related to the federal budget. As it takes 60 votes to waive the Byrd Rule, we can ensure that any provision that trips the Byrd Rule will be stripped from the bill, which will require that the bill be sent back to the House for further consideration and additional votes.

This is a pretty striking move. There’s some debate about how effective this strategy will prove. GOP aides inisist that Dems will not be able to craft a reconciliation bill that’s bulletproof. Some Dems privately express similiar concerns, while others think whoever is chairing the proceedings — Joe Biden, perhaps — will be able to brush aside these procedural cobwebs.

But given the murkiness of Senate procedure, this doesn’t seem like something one can be certain about. And the question is whether this will succeed in spooking House Dems into believing the reconciliation fix will fail, leading them to be even more reluctant to pass the Senate bill in the first place. Full letter here.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/senate-republicans/gop-senators-unite-behind-strategy-to-bleed-reconciliation-to-deat/

[Supersedeas]

1. what the media creeps applaud this like it is real political theater

[high density]

2. So more "no," just in a new way

That's to be expected from these people.

[Beetwasher]

3. I've Read That Biden Can Overrule This, I Believe

And put an end to these shennanigans. Also, I believe there is a limit to the debate, so they can only do this for so long.

[Jennicut]

6. Biden can overrule the Senate Parliamentarian. It depends what that guy decides to allow.

Joe better get prepared though, just in case...

[customerserviceguy]

4. If I were a Repuke

what I'd want to see is the House passing the Senate bill lock, stock, and barrel, and then failing to pass the reconciliation bill in the Senate.

This would make the Democratic Congress look completely unable to govern, and would saddle the American people with a really lousy version of HCR, with the Cornhusker Kickback, the Louisiana Purchase, and the excise taxes on decent health plans 100% intact.

It's pure stupidity for the House to even hold a vote to approve the Senate bill unless they can actually READ the version of the reconciliation bill that 50 Senators (plus Biden) have agreed to support upon passage of the Senate bill.

I haven't seen the text of that bill, has anybody here? Vague statements of support just look like sucker bait. All it takes is a handful of Democratic Senators saying, "Well, I didn't mean I'd go along with that!"

[Hansel]

5. If I were a Repuke I would be careful what I wished for.

The fixes to the bill are likely to be very popular. Snowe and Collins, and other more "moderate" Republicans might have a hard time standing in the way of allowing the fixes.

[customerserviceguy]

7. We have zero idea

exactly what those fixes are going to look like. Frankly, I'd feel a lot better if President Obama were pressuring the Senate to adopt the House bill rather than the other way around.

But, the Massachusetts election changed that outcome. Don't think that Snowe and Collins haven't taken proper notice of this.

[IndianaGreen]

8. Biden just got reamed in Israel

A public slap to his face by the Netanyahu government.

Go to I/P forum for details.

[dionysus]

10. you must be tickled pink.

:eyes:

[Clio the Leo]

9. I doubt this is the admin's first line of attack though.

*I* would LOVE to watch it (duh!) ... but I bet the President would like to be able to get this done without having to involve the VP. But then again, maybe this is why we went out of way to open our hand to the GOP.