Healthcare fixes move to Senate, reconciliation gridlock looms

[TomCADem]

Source: Christian Monitor

With historic healthcare reform now the law of the land, this week’s marathon debate in the Senate over House healthcare “fixes” to that bill won’t change the outcome. But it gives Republicans a last shot to target what they see as “fundamental flaws” in the law.

As recently as Monday, Republicans claimed they had found a “fatal flaw” in the package of fixes that would kill the effort to move it through reconciliation, where only a simple majority is needed for passage. But the Senate parliamentarian, in an advisory opinion on Monday evening, disagreed.

What’s left to Republicans are opportunities to raise amendments and procedural motions over a 20 hour period, followed by back-to-back votes that can go on for days – or as long as Republicans can stay on the floor requesting them.

It sets the stage for a sort of mini-filibuster – days of politics to test the Democrats' fortitude as much as their grasp of parliamentary procedure.

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0323/Healthcare-fixes-move-to-Senate-reconciliation-gridlock-looms

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The Republican poutrage continues.

[defendandprotect]

1. Good luck to Obama and the Democratic Senate . . .

Sincerely hope that there will be some good to come from this --

and that there will be positive changes made down the road!!

[MindandSoul]

2. You know.. . .if they can survive this, the Democratic Senators

will have earned their keep!

[No Elephants]

12. Yes, and the health insurers, PHRMA and Big Health will reward them for it.

[DCBob]

3. This could get interesting.. hang in there Dem Senators!

You can do it!

[lobodons]

4. I'm looking forward to the Viagra vote

How are the Dems going to splain viagra for sex offenders? If they can out maneuver the Reps on this one, their stock soars with me!!!! (Pfizer Inc. that is.) :)

[aquart]

11. Where in the bill is "viagra for sex offenders"?

Did Rush just make that up?

[Zoeisright]

17. Oh please. Repuke antics are not going to play well with the public.

They're already known as 'the party of cruelty'. Now we can just add 'the party of the ridiculous.'

[JDPriestly]

5. Republicans are increasingly turning off ordinary Americans.

People do not pay attention to the procedural subtleties, but they do react emotionally, and people are happy about the health care bill and want the reform to succeed. The Republicans think they are winning public approval, but, in fact, they are being recognized for what they really are: angry, uncaring and selfish.

I have talked to several people who are really stunned by how mean the Republicans are. They have shown us their true faces.

Funny thing is that I really don't like this bill either. By carrying their protests too far, the Republicans have hurt themselves.

Americans are generous and kind and quite willing to share and sacrifice when it comes down to it. The Republicans do not understand the American character.

[Kablooie]

6. With Senate 'fixes' bill, GOP sees last chance to change health-care reform

Source: Washington Post

Hours after President Obama signed sweeping health-care legislation into law Tuesday, the Senate began a debate on another piece of the package, giving Republicans one last chance to alter the bill before it begins to transform insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
In the short term, GOP senators are aiming to gut the "fixes" package, a 150-page addendum to the new health-care law.
Because the fixes bill was written under special budget reconciliation rules, it cannot be filibustered. But Republicans vowed to take full advantage of their right to offer unlimited amendments, intending to sabotage the package and create turmoil among Democrats who are counting on its passage.

...

Republicans have two goals this week: to use reconciliation rules to strike sections of the package and to offer amendments that prove impossible for Democrats to resist. If the fixes bill is changed in any way, it must return to the House for another vote.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032303957.html?hpid=topnews

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Whee! That's the Republican platform : We will bring turmoil and sabotage to the American Government because that's what Americans need most.

They are nothing but clowns. Unbelievable.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. They continue to prove themselves to be the Party of No.

NO good ideas

No cooperation

NO morals

NO sense of shame.

[shotten99]

8. Poor losers, really.

[Skink]

9. Since Obama signed the legislation is this package really neccassary?

[DallasNE]

10. "Losing Ugly"

That is the title Chris Matthews chose for his Hardball show tonight and, boy, has Matthews hit the nail on the head. Health Care Reform is the law of the land and the GOP in the Senate can not do a thing about it. Ironically, a vote against the reconciliation passage is a vote for the bill that all 40 Republican Senators voted against in December. So, not only are Republicans losing ugly, they are losing foolishly and stupidly as Republican David Frum has pointed out.

[No Elephants]

13. My disgust for Republicans trumps my great disappointment in this bill.

[SkyDaddy7]

14. What & Who is the Senate parliamentarian?

Thanks!

[elocs]

15. Alan Frumin--Google works well for the "what" as well. n/t

[SkyDaddy7]

16. Yes, I went to the "Google"...

on the internets for the answer not long after I posted my comment.