Democrats Consider Bypassing G.O.P. on Health Care Plan

[jefferson_dem]

Democrats Consider Bypassing G.O.P. on Health Care Plan
By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON — With solid majorities in both houses of Congress, Democrats are tempted to use their political muscle to speed passage of health care legislation with minimal concessions to the Republican minority.

That approach may be the only way they can fulfill President Obama’s campaign promises, but it carries high risks as well.

In the budget blueprint for the coming year, Democrats may resort to an obscure procedure known as reconciliation to clear the way for Senate passage of a comprehensive health bill with a 51-vote majority, rather than the 60 votes that would otherwise be needed.

“It may be a struggle to get to 60,” said Senator Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, who is working on the legislation.

Use of the expedited procedure, to prevent a Senate filibuster, could both help and hurt the Democrats. It would enable them to overcome Republican objections to a big increase in federal spending and a huge expansion in the role of government. On the other hand, it could fundamentally alter the political dynamic of the health care debate, detonating an explosive reaction among Republican senators who have been working with Democrats on the issue.

If Democrats use the fast-track procedure, it would be tantamount to “a declaration of war,” said Senator Michael B. Enzi of Wyoming, the senior Republican on the health committee.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/us/politics/23health.html?_r=1&hp?xid=rss-page&pagewanted=print

[thereismore]

1. This kind of war I like. nt

[Hellataz]

2. I say declare war, it's not like the republicans are ever going to see eye to eye with us anyway.

It's funny how they are constantly attacking the Dems and President Obama for not being willing to to "work with them" yet every chance they get they try to block the Presidents polices for no valid reason. They wont stop trying to sabotage the dems, so i say on such an important issue, we shouldn't care about upsetting the republicans since most of them don't like us anyway.

[depakid]

3. Democrats had better be more than tempted if they expect anything of merit to get done

Note to Mr. Enzi (whose recent bill tried to force junk insurance- minimal coverage with high deductibles, exclusions and coinsurance requirements on people through premption of state law mandates):

YOU AND YOUR ILK DECLARED WAR LONG AGO.

I Democrats have anm ounce of sense and even a teaspoon of integrity and political fortitude they won't think twice about using this process REPEATEDLY.

[POAS]

4. "A declaration of War"?

They took out a "contract on America" in the 90's and now they accuse loyal Americans of declaring war?

Chutzpah!

[Vinca]

5. There's no reason to include them when you know what their

votes will be: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

[ContinentalOp]

6. Tyranny I tell you!

The democrats could push through their radical socialist agenda with only a simple 51% majority!? That's like the DEFINITION of tyranny or something. I'm pretty sure. Sheesh, passing legislation with a majority vote? What is the world coming too?

[Hieronymus]

7. Go for it. Repubs will just bitch, in any event.

[mvd]

8. K&R - do it

They would obstruct no matter what we do.

[uponit7771]

9. LET them explode!! They'll just stank up the walls a bit but we can wipe them down and

...go on with life.

[firedupdem]

10. They need to do it and do it now. The party of limbaugh will not

behave anyway. Get it done Democrats.