72 hours to read the reconciliation piece

Reader comment on: The Health Care Farce

Submitted by benjamin Geballe (United States), Mar 16, 2010 20:56

It is clear that the bulk of the bill is the senate version, which passed Christmas eve giving more than enough time to read it. So the rest is whatever is in the so-called sidecar. This may be as long as 300 pages, but probably shorter than that. Granted, reading legislative language is an eye strain inducing slog, but that is what these people are paid for. Realistically, how many legislators, either R's or D's ever actually read the legislative language. They rely on the committee staff and their legislative advisors to tell them what is in it.

As for the ends justifying the means, I still have yet to see the Democrats really take the gloves off. I will cede you this point if Biden steps in and unilaterally rules the filibuster out of order, something he could constitutionally do. At that point, I would worry. But what they are doing now is child's play. The Republicans have done it (35 times in the last congress they controlled the had a deem to pass). Plus, if I were a house member, I wouldn't trust the Senate to actually pass the reconciliation package, so by putting the measures together members get a little security. Ultimately, a person who votes for health care (even if they technically don't vote for the Senate bill) will still get the credit and blame in the eyes of the electorate. Nobody is dodging a bullet. What all this amounts to is Republicans trying make procedural objections to a bill that is actually gaining in popularity now that Obama is on the stump. If only he had joined the battle six months ago.


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The Future of Capitalism replies:

Okay, but when even Ezra Klein says the Democrats are a hard time defending the bill because no one knows for sure what is or isn't in it...

Other reader comments on this item

Title By Date
⇒ 72 hours to read the reconciliation piece
[w/response] [277 words]
benjamin GeballeMar 16, 2010 20:56
So easy to be critical
[w/response] [155 words]
benjamin GeballeMar 16, 2010 15:33

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