If House members act on the legislation today, they will vote on the Senate bill first and then the reconciliation bill. If approved, the Senate bill will go to the president, the reconciliation bill to the Senate. Democratic leaders in the Senate say they have enough votes to pass the reconciliation bill, but DeMint and Graham say it won’t make it to Obama’s desk.
Republicans will raise a number of issues called points of order on procedures they say violate Senate rules, the senators said, which require 60 votes to set aside, one more than Democrats have.
The plan is to force the reconciliation bill back to the House for renegotiation with Republican input, Graham said. The alternative for Democrats is to accept the Senate bill as written as the new law, DeMint and Graham said.
Republicans want to eliminate some additions in the reconciliation bill such as a provision to revamp the college student-loan program, Graham said, and forcing the Senate bill into law would accomplish that. If Democrats refuse to negotiate new legislation and the Senate bill remains the law, Republicans believe that will give help them get Republicans elected in November.
Clyburn said the plan is just another Republican stalling tactic. No one is certain how it will play out, but as South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said, it’s sure to be an interesting week for the Senate parliamentarian.
I can always depend on FR to have someone like you to make it clear.