Legal Commentary

Political Reality On The Health Bill: It's Up To The Senate

By Big Tent Democrat

Paul Krugman:

[B]oth houses of Congress have passed broadly similar bills. In a normally functioning Congress, the differences would be negotiated, and a deal would be struck. But thanks to the filibuster, that can’t happen: a 59-41 majority isn’t enough.

There is, however, a fairly straightforward way to get back to more or less majority rule. The Senate has to pass a reconciliation bill — a money-related bill, that doesn’t require 60 votes — that modifies its original bill, making it more acceptable to the House. [. . .] Then the House passes both bills, and sends the combo to the president’s desk. [. . .] I’m not sure what the Senate’s problem is [. . . b]ut this is what has to be done.

For those folks who really want the Senate health bill to pass, that is the reality. If it does not happen, it will be because of the Senate.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 05, 2010 (boomark / email).