Budget reconciliation is a procedural maneuver which could allow the Democratic health care reform bill to pass. According to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), the Democrats must use the reconciliation to assure passage of the health care bill.
Reconciliation would achieve 2 goals
Addressing a Pennsylvania Progressive forum last weekend, Sen. Specter opined that the only way to get health care reform passed was to use reconciliation. According to Specter reconciliation would do 2 things:
- allow health care reform to pass with less than 60 votes and
- placate House Democrats who do not like many of the provisions contained in the Senate bill.
The Pennsylvania Progressive Summit was held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and brought together progressive activists including hundreds of field organizers, volunteers, bloggers, labor leaders, elected officials and policy experts at the state and national level.
Take away the entitlements offered Nebraska and others
One key point in Sen. Specter’s statements was his reference to removing the “giveaways” which he called inappropriate. He believes that there will be no argument about taking away the special measures offered to Nebraska and Louisiana.
Democrats are more positive than a week ago
Staggering slightly after the election in Massachusetts of Republican Scott Brown, Democrats seem more positive that they can get a health care bill passed. There has been considerable discussion between both Chambers and the White House.
The promise of reconciliation as alluded to by Specter’s comments might go a long way to calming the fears of House democrats. They have been reluctant to endorse the senate bill without the promise of significant changes.
Democrats need to pass something
Despite the fact that President Obama has moved jobs to the top of his domestic agenda, there is a growing concern among the Democratic leadership that the worst thing the Democrats could do it pass nothing.
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