GOP Strategy: Derail Health Bill Reconciliation Fix With “Free For All” Of Amendments

[jefferson_dem]

GOP Strategy: Derail Health Bill Reconciliation Fix With “Free For All” Of Amendments

The GOP Senate leadership has privately settled on a strategy to derail health reform if Dems try to pass the Senate bill with a fix through reconciliation, aides say: Unleash an endless stream of amendments designed to stall for time and to force Dems to take untenable votes.

The aide described the planned GOP strategy as a “free for all of amendments,” vowing Dems would face “a mountain of amendments so politically toxic they’ll make the first health debate look like a post office naming.”

Senator Judd Gregg is getting some attention today because he vowed to make it an “extraordinarily difficult exercise” for Dems to pass the Senate bill through the House while getting the Senate to fix the bill with a “sidecar” through reconciliation.

I asked a senior GOP Senate aide to explain the game plan for making this an “extraordinarily difficult exercise.” He said the leadership — Senators Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, etc. — are discussing how to exploit the fact that the reconciliation process allows for an “open-ended amendment process.”

That means there’s no limit on the number of amendments GOPers can offer, the aide said, or on their subject matter. A senior Democratic aide confirmed that this is the case — and that it’s a concern weighing on Dems.

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http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/senate-republicans/gop-strategy-derail-health-bill-reconciliation-fix-with-free-for-all-of-amendments/

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Ah, the GOPiggies, always looking out for the American people.

:sarcasm:

[Jennicut]

2. Sometimes Rethugs don't know when to stop overplaying their hand.

Did they not learn anything from 1995 and Newtie Gingrich? This will backfire on them.

[iceman66]

3. Only if our 'leaders' call them out on it!

They've been using these type of underhanded tactics for the past year, and have gotten a complete pass from our party leaders.

[DrToast]

4. Exactly. If there aren't any consequences, why would they stop?

[Marsala]

7. Dem leaders do call them out on it

Remember Baucus's drunken rant? Dem leaders call them out on it. It just doesn't do anything! Republicans are PROUD of being obstructionist nihilists. All we can do is fight them.

[iceman66]

8. More is needed here than a drunken rant from Baucus.

The President and Congressional leaders should be reminding the voters of Republican obstructionism and dilatory tactics every time they get in front of a microphone, and it should be a central theme of the 2010 campaign.

[Cosmocat]

5. OH FOR FRUCKS SAKE !!!!

That means there’s no limit on the number of amendments GOPers can offer, the aide said, or on their subject matter. A senior Democratic aide confirmed that this is the case — and that it’s a concern weighing on Dems.

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WHAT THE F R U C K ...

They are going to act like BUTTHATS either gosh darn way!

If they are going to be jaggoffs anyways, then PASS THE GOSH DARN, MFin, SOBin BILL!!!

[quantass]

6. Just cant stop laughing Anymore...GOP are Fighters, Hands-down...Dems are Pathetic.

GOP are doing exactly what they were bread to do: "Frack the people by any means necesssary". So i don't blame them at all. What frustrates me is that democrats refuse to do anything worthy for the people. I know most democrats are bought and paid for like All republicans are but at least with the GOP they are more open to the disdain of the American people (and yet they still get voted in?!?) while democrats mascaraed the idea of "for the people"...which i find considerably more disgusting.

Unless i've read things wrong i've even heard that democrats are eagerly moving forward to remove the filibuster option asap so as to enact Bernanke with only 50 votes...Ummm, where were you guys when it came to doing the same thing for the PO or Medicare for All......EVERY TIME it is an issue that helps corporate america or the very rich you will see enough democrats gear up lockstep to get it done. In this situation i give credit to the current republicans opposing Bernanke's re-appointment....but based on current events it looks like democrats and the WH are going to have their way.

The only happy thing about this disastrous administration is that i am Canadian and dont have to live the consequences.

[Strawman]

9. It's time to go nuclear then

I wonder if Biden would agree to it if there were 51 votes for it. He's a Senate lifer.

Of course that would require 51 Democrats willing to take a bold stand, and set aside their reservations and hesitancy to mess with Senate tradition. It'll never happen, but if there is any chance at all of pissing off 51 Democratic Senators enough to do it, this might be it.