Student loan overhaul seems likely to join Senate health-care bill

[ProSense]

Student loan overhaul seems likely to join Senate health-care bill

By Shailagh Murray and Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 11, 2010; 4:49 PM

Senate Democrats said Thursday that they are inclined to add an overhaul of the nation's student loan program to the final health-care bill.

The move would create a potential double victory for President Obama, who has championed both causes as among domestic priorities. And Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said Thursday, "There was a stronger feeling for including" the education proposal. Some senators disagreed with the strategy, Durbin said, adding that a final decision has yet to be reached.

Under the student loan proposal, subsidies that now support private lenders would be shifted to other student assistance programs, including Pell Grants for families struggling to afford college tuition. "Some of the things accomplished here are really going to help a lot of people across America," Durbin said.

Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) had been one of the chief opponents of the maneuver, for fear that it would provoke procedural challenges from Republicans. But he said the Senate parliamentarian had suggested in a preliminary ruling that combining the bills could work, provided Senate Democrats strike the right balance on cost.

"I'd say yes, we're leaning toward it," Conrad said.

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[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Oh, so the DLCers will be able to say that anyone who votes against this

crappy insurance subsidy bill is against reforming student loans.

Typical Washington "Christmas tree bill" crap.

Student loan reform is a separate issue, and it's a bullshit tactic to tack it onto HCR.

We need a Constitutional amendment like they have in some states: All bills must deal with only one subject. That would get rid of the irrelevant "riders."

[ProSense]

2. Yes, that's the most important thing here. n/t

[ProSense]

3. May I interest you in some reading

Can I say 'Assholes' in a Headline?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Yes, it's definitely worth doing BUT

what reason is there to attach it to HCR other than to emotionally blackmail reluctant Congresscritters.

It's good enough to stand on its own merits.

[ProSense]

6. This is rich

Yes, it's definitely worth doing BUT

what reason is there to attach it to HCR other than to emotionally blackmail reluctant Congresscritters.

It's good enough to stand on its own merits.

But? If you want to look at it that way, consider it hardball.

Both bills can stand on their own merits. Whatever the reason, it's great they're going for it.

[Ildem09]

7. WTF?

ever heard of Omnibus Reconciliation. Meet COBRA.. was only smalllllll part of the entire package. and why not. I want them to tack more on if they can get the votes. Lets get Cap N Trade and EFCA in there too.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. "Christmas tree bils" like that are a large part of what's wrong with Washington

And I know exactly what they're doing. I've seen this happen on other issues, such as environmental issues. Take something anti-environmental and pair it with something that everyone likes.

Yeah, you can spread talking points all you want, but I've been observing politics for a long time.

The student loan bill is a great bill. Pass it immediately and consider health care on its own merits.

[ProSense]

13. "The student loan bill is a great bill. "

Yeah, passing great bills is "a large part of what's wrong with Washington." Absurd.

If they get the opportunity to pass 10 great bills at one time, they better damn well go for it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. OK, you're deliberately playing dumb

(I've seen that movie, too.)

Bye.

[ProSense]

16. No, just addressing a disingenuous argument. n/t

[Pirate Smile]

5. Gawd, I hope it makes it in.

[ncteechur]

8. the kill the bill crowd won't care. they still want to kill it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. No, pass the student loan bill on its own merits

not as a fucking rider. They could do that tomorrow if they felt like it. They don't care about fixing student loans, but they know it's a popular issue that no one dares vote against, so they'll tack it on to HCR. Then anyone who votes against HCR will be accused of being against impoverished graduates.

You can say whatever you want. I've seen this movie before and I am not fooled.

There is NO reason not to pass the student loan bill separately.

What would it hurt to pass it separately?

If it's such a good idea (and it is--I had my own struggle with student loans many years ago), pass it tomorrow by itself.

Give me ONE GOOD REASON why it can't be a separate bill.

[ProSense]

11. This is a lame argument based on opposition to the health bill.

Truly lame.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. I feel the same way about all riders

They're dishonest.

[ProSense]

15. It's not the rider that's dishonest.

I suppose you oppose the public option rider? Are you against the reconciliation effort?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. The public option rider has something to do with the main bill

Student loans do not.

[ProSense]

19. So you don't "feel the same way about all riders"

just the ones you don't like? The Republicans don't like the current rider either, they're trying to make the case that it's a dishonest to circumvent the process.

Some arguments are just not believable.

[liberalpragmatist]

17. You can only pass one reconciliation bill per budget year

There aren't 60 votes for the student loan reform bill. If they don't do it, they have to wait till the next budget is released and then pass it through reconciliation, which could be after the summer.

So if you want to get it done, you need to include it now, in this reconciliation package.

[TheBigotBasher]

20. It will not pass on its own

The usual 6 have come out against it. So the student loans bill would not get out of cloture. This seems a pretty good way of dealing with that problem.

[Jakes Progress]

21. Decent legislation. Piss poor behavior.

Doing what we have complained about republicans for doing. This is what makes potential voters wonder why voting makes a difference. They see a student loan program attached to a health bill and know that games are being played with their lives.