Dems To GOP: Obstruct Health Care Debate, And We'll Be Here 'Til Christmas

[babylonsister]

Dems To GOP: Obstruct Health Care Debate, And We'll Be Here 'Til Christmas
Brian Beutler | December 2, 2009, 12:47PM


A fragile gentleman's agreement between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is breaking down, and now, three days into the health care debate, having held not a single vote on a single amendment, Democrats are saying enough is enough. And if they have to stay in session through Christmas to pass the bill, that's what they'll do.

After an impromptu caucus meeting on health care, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) told reporters, "the Republican leadership is stalling us and we have decided that we are going right through Christmas." If it comes to that. "We go through as long as it takes, including Christmas day, if it takes it to pass it."

In response to a question from TPMDC, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters, "unless the Republican leadership comes forward with a reasonable approach to these amendments, I think our patience is wearing thin."

"We're just not going to sit here forever and watch this bill go down," he said.

"There was a lot of talk about, if we have to be here Christmas, we'll be here Christmas," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Some background is appropriate here.

Going into this week, Reid, and McConnell had agreed to proceed slowly by trading off amendments, first one for the Democrats, then one for the Republicans.

Last night, after a long, full day of debate on these first amendments--including a motion offered by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) intended to kill the reform bill--Reid said, let's hold a vote tomorrow afternoon, just on these amendments.

McConnell said no.

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/dems-to-gop-obstruct-health-care-debate-and-well-be-here-until-christmas.php?ref=fpa

[Deep13]

1. Why do we need McConnell's permission to have a vote on amendments?

Stop trying to please them. You can only negotiate if the other side is willing to be reasonable and to act in good faith. That excludes the Republicans.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Senate Rules...

Once again Reid got rolled in trying to "reach around"...err I mean, show some "bi-partisanship". Actually this is long-time protocol...ammendments must be cleared through party leadership before they can get a vote...Pruneface is using the rules to slow down things. If Reid had cajones...which he doesn't...he'd force a vote on ALL ammendments on a date specific and move on. Instead this dog and pony show will drag on...more chances for the final bill to be watered down.

[FBaggins]

9. The Senate requires unanimous consent for many things

Take the rule that requires that a bill be read three times before it is passed.

A clerk begin reading the bill and someone asks for unanimous consent that it isn't necessary. A single objection means that the bill must be read aloud. Over 2000 pages takes quite a while to get through (three times no less) and if too many senators leave the room someone suggests the absence of a quorum and you wait for enough people to return (and you know that the republicans will only have enough people there to maintain the objection... which means that our team has to remain).

That one rule can clog things up for days (which really means weeks by the normal schedule)... and there are many other options.

[bluestateguy]

2. This is not a time for gentlemen's agreements

If Harry Reid is going to lose next year, he might as well go down standing for something.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Fujck the Republicans already. Invoke the nuclear option - too important of a debate

to ignore.

[MNDemNY]

4. With Nelson's "Stupak clone Amendment" it's a sure thing, right babs?

:P

[Divine Discontent]

5. hmm, that's 1 way to get this done! hold them there til it's resolved! I love it.

[leftstreet]

6. Healthcare NOW! War ENDLESS!

Oh the irony

[viscrente]

7. Think about it...

I personally don't believe that this health-care vote will pass the senate with those "Blue Dog's" and Joe... Not too mention the abortion coverage which is too inflammatory for some... And it would be a horrible idea for the Dems in the senate to push through health care using the nuclear option... It is way to important. I want it to be worded properly. Imagine if when the Republicans in congress had pushed through a "no same-sex marriage bill" using a nuclear option.. It would have been horrible. So if there should ever be true civility between Republicans and Democrats, then perhaps everyone should work together and do it properly.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Tell that to the GOP

[livetohike]

11. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[viscrente]

12. Thank you.

Looking forward to some lively discussions.