GOP wins parliamentary ruling in Senate reconciliation fight
posted at 8:45 am on March 25, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Is this significant, or just a momentary hiccup on the road to passage for the reconciliation package? The Senate adjourned earlier than expected this morning after Republicans successfully identified parliamentary overreach in the House sidebar bill that prevented the use of the reconciliation process. The errors mean that the Senate must change the bill, which then requires another House vote (via CentristNet):
With the Senate working through an all-night session on a package of changes to the Democrats’ sweeping health care legislation, Republicans early Thursday morning identified parliamentary problems with at least two provisions that will require the measure to be sent back to the House for yet another vote, once the Senate adopts it.
Senate Democrats had been hoping to defeat all of the amendments proposed by Republicans and to prevail on parliamentary challenges so that they could approve the measure and send it to President Obama for his signature. But the bill must comply with complex budget reconciliation rules, and Republicans identified some flaws. …
Senator Kent Conrad, Democrat of North Dakota and chairman of the Budget Committee, said that one problem with the bill was the formula for determining the maximum Pell grant awards. The second issue was a technical matter that Mr. Conrad described as mostly insignificant.
Mr. Conrad said a third issue was under review by the Senate parliamentarian.
The risk for Democrats in a parliamentary challenge is that Republicans could knock out key provisions of the legislation, or win a decision that upends the mechanisms Democrats rely on to pay for the measure.
“We see no impact on the score and very insignificant impact on any policy,” Mr. Conrad said, referring to a cost estimate of the legislation. “This is not going to be a problem.”
If that’s all that gets struck from the bill, the only effect will be to lengthen the debate on health care. Obviously, that’s exactly what the Republicans want. With 62% of voters wanting the GOP to keep fighting against ObamaCare, their leadership has no reason to let up.
The big surprise here is that House leadership allowed themselves to screw up on minor points. The process of reconciliation isn’t that arcane, and they certainly had the time to double-check their work. They’ve been working on this strategy since Scott Brown won his election in mid-January. To have the bill boomerang back because of Pell grants in a health-care bill is an embarrassment.
However, it doesn’t change much in practical terms. The original bill has already passed into law, and the reconciliation bill mainly rearranged deck chairs regarding taxes and fee structures. Even if the “third issue” turns out to be significant to the health-care system itself, the Senate will just strike it, and the House will agree to it just to get the debate out of the way. The GOP warning that the Senate wouldn’t act on reconciliation has already been shown to be empty, and the amendment blizzard won’t make any difference on the House, which has much more motivation to pass the new version as soon as they get it. The GOP won a delay in the inevitable of about a week at most.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3
Still waiting sugarbritches. Whassamatter, ashamed of who you are?
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM
That’s much more closer to what they truly are.
Insert witty screen name here on March 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Rush always brings that point up, how often do Democrats compromise? A dems compromise is ‘we’ll only pull your pants halfway down’
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Read the Constitution, Tommy. You need a majority vote in both houses of Congress and signature by the President.
I’ll grant you that, even if Republicans get majorities after the 2010 elections, Obama will veto any repeal efforts, and it would take a 2/3 vote by both houses of Congress to override the veto.
But during 2011-2012, people will be paying extra taxes and losing Medicare benefits to pay for ObamaCare, but the benefits don’t kick in until 2014. If Republicans are smart, they will keep hammering the fact that Obama is the only remaining reason that this “all pain for no gain” law is still on the books, and all Republican presidential candidates in 2012 should promise to sign a repeal bill.
Steve Z on March 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM
We need to support their effort to identify themselves!
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Just curious, could they defund it in the budget? Obama doesn’t sign, gov’t shutdown? win/win there IMO
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:17 AM
I think it was Will Rogers who said, “The only sure things in life are death and taxes, but death doesn’t get worse every time Congress is in session”.
The less the Federal government does, the better.
venividivici on March 25, 2010 at 10:18 AM
This morning on our local television station, I saw 2 ads from some pro-HCR reform organization which is now “educating the people” as to what they are going to get now that the Bill has been signed into Law.
Problem is, it doesn’t say when these things start and the majority of the things they are touting don’t go into effect for 3-4 years.
I am sooooooooooooooo looking forward to the outraged cries of “where’s my stuff” when people start streaming into their doctor’s offices and find out none of this is coming for quite a while.
Now, that ought to really make the Dems popular. :)
Greyledge Gal on March 25, 2010 at 10:19 AM
But I thought if it violated reconciliation rules, then the reconciliation process cannot be used. Which then gets us to needing 60 votes in the Senate for passage? Am I thinking about this the wrong way?
PrincipledPilgrim on March 25, 2010 at 10:20 AM
If yoiu have to ask, you’re a troll.
rickyricardo on March 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Yes, after all their forebears created the
10005 yr Reich.They should be proud that call themselves (National) socialist Democrats
Insert witty screen name here on March 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Just playing hardball, Dems are forced to cancel comm. meetings, hearings. Monkey wrenches are flying.
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I know the facts don’t matter to liberals like Tom and Crr6, but they matter to most Americans…that is why Obama and the democrats are still tanking even with all of this fawning press over their government take over of Health Care…..
…as usual…Tom does not know what he is talking about…
the Party of “no” was exposed as the democrats when in the “Question and Answer” session they like to brag about so much…Obama had to admit that the GOP brought forth many ideas…they just acted like liberals usually do and tried to shut out any dissenting opinion:
GOP/Obama Question and Answer:
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/president-obama-goes-to-gop-retreat-and.html
Let’s dig into the Q&A:
…and of course the “party of no” line disintegrates as Obama admits that Republicans have presented ideas…they have just ignored them along with the press so they could push their “party of no” talking points like Tom is doing here…..
[T]hank you for acknowledging that we have ideas on health care. Because, indeed, we do have ideas. We have plans. We have over 50 bills. We have lots of amendments that would bring health care ideas to the forefront….
…here is how democrats show “bi-partisanship”…
Democrats lock Republicans out of committee room
By Susan Crabtree – 10/20/09 05:47 PM ET
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/63941-democrats-lock-republicans-out-of-committee-room
Nancy Pelosi in action, July 2009:
…..democrats can’t handle debate and know nothing about bi-partisanship when it comes to legislation…their actions show it…the lack of any bi-partisanship is evident in their jamming through failed legislation like the stimulus and legislation against the people’s will like the health care bill……
…and of course Obama had to admit that his word means nothing by acknowledging some of the many promises he has broken in this era of faux “Hope and Change”….
All right! Guilty as charged. But are you going to do anything about it now? That’s what “responsibility” really means. Not just, yep, we did that.
…of course what democrats did do is have to bribe and pay off their own democratic representative to sign off on this deficit busting government takeover of health care….how noble of the “Hope and Change” crowd…
Baxter Greene on March 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM
The Senate is in the driver’s seat on reconciliation; however, if there is something wrong that violates the Byrd Rule of reconciliation, then it has to be fixed and go back to the House for another vote. So far, the things that are wrong have not been enough to change the price into negative territory. We are waiting on a ruling from the Senate Parliamentarian on a 3rd problem.
Reconciliation doesn’t have a 60 vote factor — it’s all 51 votes passes it, to the best of my knowledge.
Greyledge Gal on March 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM
…please get back to us Tom when you actually have some credibility on this issue, because listening to you liberals whine about “violence and hate” after eight years of “Ki!! Bush”,vandalizing military recruitment centers while calling our Soldiers “murders” and “war criminals” is beyond hypocritical.
Baxter Greene on March 25, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Baxter Greene: Great post as always,and remember the
infamous “B” carving from the MCain
worker,double-agent,lefty operative!
Jus try’n to help!:)
=====================================
Police: Woman With ‘B’ Scratched In Face Faked Political Attack
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/17789356/detail.html
canopfor on March 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Which is why if the Republicans gain control of the House next year, they should focus mainly on defunding the collection apparatus of ObamaCare® — such as the 16,000 new IRS agents needed for enforcement — in order to make sure the terms of the argument are fought on their grounds until the 2012, when they can campaign on ‘repeal and replace’ as part of the presidential election.
The GOP would already know going into 2011 that the Democrats and the big media are going to try and demonize them and blame Republicans for any government shutdown if the GOP runs the House; keep the issue focused on unpopular things like hiring more IRS agents and you stick Barack and the media with having to justify additional tax collectors and/or explain why thousands are going to die and children are going to suffer because we don’t have enough tax collectors.
jon1979 on March 25, 2010 at 10:26 AM
What we’re going to find out is that democrats really can’t play hardball. That is if we can keep Republicans awake long enough to get into the game….and send all the RINOs back to wherever they came from.
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:26 AM
This bill is the legislative equivalent of requiring water to flow uphill. In that context, there are no ‘minor points.’
The big surprise is that there are not scores of articles under constitutional and/or rules attack: hopefully, Republicans are just waiting: not wanting to fire all their guns at once.
Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear is hard!
landlines on March 25, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Meh. Wake me up when all the Republican congress critters invoke the constitution and petition the Supreme Court for immediate review of Obama Care now that it’s law. I’m no wonk when it comes to these things, but certainly there must be some procedure on the books for this. The third branch of power must have their say on this.
RepubChica on March 25, 2010 at 10:28 AM
They will need to bring their ‘A’ game and stick with it, they will get no fair shake from the media, even if the GOP takes back the house and senate, you won’t know it because the minority leaders will be on more than anybody else, probably not more than I won, impossible.
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:29 AM
+100
barnone on March 25, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I know that sounds good but I don’t think it has much chance. I know the bill is unconstitutional, but then I know that OJ is guilty too. I’m beginning to think that the best way to destroy this thing is by letting it die the death of a thousand cuts. Snip a bit here and there, cut some funds, amend it a little and just let it wither.
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Yep and I want them to realize it before the mid terms and then on into the presidential cycle.
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:33 AM
….It is easy when you get to post with the conservative people here at Hot Air that know what they are talking about as opposed to the huffpo crowd like Tom and crr6 that rely on lies and democratic talking points.
Baxter Greene on March 25, 2010 at 10:34 AM
You know they probably won’t win this fight. But they need to take some skin from the Democrats so they know they have been in a fight, and that they can’t steam roll over them….That and they need to show the American People, they are slim fit and at their fighting weight :) If they can do this with their minority – imagine if we gave them the majority in November? They are auditioning folks. The Democrats are in the process of requesting extra security because of their oh so popular legislation – That was a short victory lap and the Democrats are back to Victim status. That’s who is running the country folks “The Victim Class”
I am beginning to wonder if all of this is just revenge for the 2000 Election when Gore lost. It’s been 10 years, I know we all have moved on but these are some Bitter Obsessive Compulsives.
Dr Evil on March 25, 2010 at 10:35 AM
The best we can hope for now is keeping exposing the failures of it and the utter stupidity that is in it. Then we must insist upon its destruction. If they waver on that, we are in trouble.
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:35 AM
You know it, I know it–my nine-year-old son knows it. And you better be damn sure those members in congress on both sides know it–but the question remains–why aren’t the elected GOP vociferously challenging it? I don’t like the little games–the monkey wrenches someone mentioned upthread. Go for the entire hardware store before you start reaching for tools. It’s not so much the repeal of the bill at this point as it is the precedent set by the bill not being challenged.
I’m very curious to hear the high courts take on it–not pundits and bloggers and all the rest.
RepubChica on March 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Still waiting sugarbritches. Whassamatter, ashamed of who you are?
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Oldnuke:Maybe,TS is from Vermont!!:)
canopfor on March 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Can we please institute a policy where we give the death penalty to a member of congress who attaches items into a bill that have nothing to do with the bill? Passing the healthcare bill will put the financial aid system into govt hands? Yeah, that’s not at all sneaky and underhanded.
I say we have but one choice when we have to deal with these issues- summary execution of the member who slipped in said issue into unrelated bill. That should take care of that issue in a hurry.
TheBlueSite on March 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Thought you all might like to reminisce with some pictures of the love & compassion Tom & his friends have:
http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=612
Toggle down for pics of the hypocrites
Oopsdaisy on March 25, 2010 at 10:42 AM
The big surprise here is that House leadership allowed themselves to screw up on minor points.
ROFL…they screwed up the entire bill and you are shocked they screw some small points?
They had to pass a sidebar to protect the military from Obamacare, they left out child preexisting conditions.
The Big surprise is they only screw up a couple of minor issues. These peopel are idiots and all 535 of them need repleaced ASAP
unseen on March 25, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Let’s see, the far-left national socialist moonbats have been flagging this chicken for how long now?
And despite all that time we’re still more enraged and engaged than we have ever been.
And now after 7 months we’re just supposed to forget all about National Socialist Healthcare?
You’d think that drug abuse would be prohibited at MHU.
Chip on March 25, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Yes, and people think that these Obozo’s should run the healthcare system.
Chip on March 25, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Agreed, maybe the death part is a little much, but that crap does need to stop. If you stand back and look at the whole system, it is so flawed and corrupt its sickening.
TheVer on March 25, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Exactly!!! There just has to be something illegal, or unconstitutional about this. We foot their end? Any of these union members, that are ok with this (and I’m sure all of them are) are not patriots. They don’t give a crap about their country, or their fellow citizens. One day, the tables will turn, and I hope it’s more merciful to you, than you were toward us.
capejasmine on March 25, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Great to post with you again Canopfor…I have been working with helping establish the C4GC (Conservatives for Guildford County) to help get out the vote for the mid-terms…have missed the Hot Air community and glad to get back for a minute.
Liberals have been caught faking attacks for years…
remember these:
Breaking: Denver Vandal Worked for Dem Politician– Was Arrested at RNC Convention!
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/breaking-denver-vandal-worked-for-dem.html
The young vandal who smashed windows at the DNC headquarters in Denver on Tuesday worked for a democratic politician, was paid by a SEIU-related front group, and was arrested at the RNC convention last year in St. Paul.
Black Man Posing as White Supremist Enters Guilty Plea For Sending Death Threats to Black Students
Unreal: MSNBC edits clip of man with gun at Obama rally to support racism narrative
posted at 7:42 pm on August 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/19/unreal-msnbc-edits-clip-of-man-with-gun-at-obama-rally-to-support-racism-narrative/
Roxana Mayer: I’m Not a Doctor But I Play One at Town Hall Meetings
Filed under: General, Media Bias, Obama — Patterico @ 7:18 pm
http://patterico.com/2009/08/12/roxana-mayer-im-not-a-doctor-but-i-play-one-at-town-hall-meetings/
[This post follows up on a previous post in which I questioned the credentials of a woman at a Texas town hall meeting who claimed to be a doctor, but turned out to be anything but. She is a graduate student in social work -- oh, and an Obama delegate. Read on for more.]
Think Progress, MSNBC ‘Manufacture’ a Story With Putative Smoking Gun ‘Mob’ Memo
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/08/think_progress_msnbc_manufactu.asp
..this is all part of the liberals plan to demonize and slander people they can’t debate the issues with honestly:
Anti-Tea Party Web Site Part of Scheme to Funnel Funds
By Joseph Abrams
- FOXNews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/09/anti-tea-party-web-site-scheme-funnel-funds/
More “Open and Honest” government from the “adults”.
Baxter Greene on March 25, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I think the Republicans are looking for a little breathing room, and a chance to go over this 2700 pages, or so, of this socialist utopia health care bill.
High court challenges need to be relevant and right. I know they’re coming but the Republicans are trying to buy time right now.
In basketball terms, they’re freezing the ball.
donh525 on March 25, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Great to post with you again Canopfor…I have been working with helping establish the C4GC (Conservatives for Guildford County) to help get out the vote for the mid-terms…have missed the Hot Air community and glad to get back for a minute.
Liberals have been caught faking attacks for years…
remember these:
Breaking: Denver Vandal Worked for Dem Politician– Was Arrested at RNC Convention!
The young vandal who smashed windows at the DNC headquarters in Denver on Tuesday worked for a democratic politician, was paid by a SEIU-related front group, and was arrested at the RNC convention last year in St. Paul.
Black Man Posing as White Supremist Enters Guilty Plea For Sending Death Threats to Black Students
Unreal: MSNBC edits clip of man with gun at Obama rally to support racism narrative
posted at 7:42 pm on August 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/19/unreal-msnbc-edits-clip-of-man-with-gun-at-obama-rally-to-support-racism-narrative/
Roxana Mayer: I’m Not a Doctor But I Play One at Town Hall Meetings
Filed under: General, Media Bias, Obama — Patterico @ 7:18 pm
[This post follows up on a previous post in which I questioned the credentials of a woman at a Texas town hall meeting who claimed to be a doctor, but turned out to be anything but. She is a graduate student in social work -- oh, and an Obama delegate. Read on for more.]
Think Progress, MSNBC ‘Manufacture’ a Story With Putative Smoking Gun ‘Mob’ Memo
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/08/think_progress_msnbc_manufactu.asp
..this is all part of the liberals plan to demonize and slander people they can’t debate the issues with honestly:
Anti-Tea Party Web Site Part of Scheme to Funnel Funds
By Joseph Abrams
- FOXNews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/09/anti-tea-party-web-site-scheme-funnel-funds/
More “Open and Honest” government from the “adults”.
Baxter Greene on March 25, 2010 at 10:53 AM
RepubChica! Where have you been, girlfriend? It’s been weeks!
UltimateBob on March 25, 2010 at 10:56 AM
We went on a tour of Venetia together
sorry bro
blatantblue on March 25, 2010 at 10:59 AM
I’m almost afraid to see how SCOTUS would rule on Obamacare. Remember, they have recently upheld numerous cases of abuse of Eminent Domain. Their views on private property rights are scary at times.
UltimateBob on March 25, 2010 at 11:00 AM
You lucky dog you. ;-)
UltimateBob on March 25, 2010 at 11:01 AM
You could start your own blog.
Perceptron on March 25, 2010 at 11:02 AM
i think he wants greenroom
blatantblue on March 25, 2010 at 11:04 AM
He’s more readable than some who inhabit the GR.
thomasaur on March 25, 2010 at 11:06 AM
He could call it ‘The Greene Room’
Perceptron on March 25, 2010 at 11:08 AM
LOL
ladyingray on March 25, 2010 at 11:09 AM
What is very troubling to me is what the Dems are doing to try and paint the Tea Party activists and anyone who disagrees with this bill as terrorists, according to Clyburn. They started this myth the day the group of them marched through the protest and proclaimed they were spit on and called the “n” word. The MSM has picked it up with glee and is smearing it nonstop. The Dems are calling on our leaders to denounce it, so they are having to denounce things there is no proof of. Again, control of the situation. I fear where this is leading.
Did anyone see Anthony “Wienie” of New York on O’Reilly last night when O’Reilly asked him who was going to enforce the insurance laws and he danced around and refused to answer the question?
silvernana on March 25, 2010 at 11:09 AM
not disagreeing
blatantblue on March 25, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Yes, he could call it Smack down!
Of course all of us would blatantly reference his work – no troll would be safe.
Chip on March 25, 2010 at 11:10 AM
That’s because he hasn’t read the bill.
ladyingray on March 25, 2010 at 11:11 AM
See Blatant @ 10:59…lol, kidding aside, I’ve been here most mornings. Must miss each other on the threads. ;-)
Hope all is good.
RepubChica on March 25, 2010 at 11:18 AM
I hear ya! It’s heading that way. Our AG, cuccinelli, had the papers at the so called “Docket Rocket” before the ink was dry on the bill. It’ll be moved to the head of the line. Make no mistake it’s going to end up before SCOTUS, I’m just a little skeptical about it’s success. Stranger things have happened though and I certainly believe that this avenue should be fully exploited.
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 11:19 AM
No doubt the writing deserves a site of its own!
Perceptron on March 25, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Yep, I saw it and the one thing that kept popping into my mind was “Weiner, what an appropriate name.”
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Well, considering that the Democrats wrote the entire HCR bill, wouldn’t shooting them all decimate the party?
And you’d also have to take the senior Democrat in the Senate out back and shoot him too.
Del Dolemonte on March 25, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Wondering, if the drive bys report the reason for the pass back to the House, will it make a few drones think, what are college loans doing in a Health Care bill?
Buckeye Babe on March 25, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Yep, saw that, and it’s being discussed on the Steny Hoyer thread.
Weiner is a weiner for sure. He babbled a bunch of nonsense and danced around the question and then accused O’Reilly of not allowing him to answer.
Weiner has to be a shyster lawyer to pull something like that. He must not be a very good lawyer though. Probably why he had to turn to a career in democrat politics.
I really can’t stand that guy.
UltimateBob on March 25, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Hmmm, he sort of looks like David Schuster, does that count.
Oldnuke on March 25, 2010 at 11:42 AM
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!
And keep throwing endless statutory monkey wrenches into the lunatic works until then.
profitsbeard on March 25, 2010 at 11:51 AM
The witless public will probably mis-hear it as Pill Grants.
profitsbeard on March 25, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Now, that is wishful thinking. Obama has as much of a chance of getting re-elected as I do of finding $1M in my mailbox. Obama is sporting the same disapproval rating after only 14 months as President Bush did after 8 years.
Good luck on the re-election business. Not going to happen.
Voter from WA State on March 25, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Not any more – exibit: how you passed it. Now, live with the caca you produced. We’ll rub your noses in it until you suffocate, looters.
Schadenfreude on March 25, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Yes please.
We take back the house and strangle the law in it’s crib.
No bill gets passed unless it has a law in it stating that hellcare is repealed. No budget gets passed until there’s a law in it that says hellcare is repealed.
Total shutdown until hellcare gets repealed. Hell yeah.
Chaz706 on March 25, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Sending the reconcillation bill back to the House was a small victory, but A VICTORY NONE THE LESS!
“Have at you!”
Khun Joe on March 25, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3