Posted on 03/13/2017 8:06:46 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Who would have thought that Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, would find the Gordian knot that will change the #Obamacare impasse from a grinding campaign to try to pass a repeal and replace bill that no one is entirely satisfied with? The senator seems to have found a way to avoid a filibuster entirely in the effort to reform health care reform and pass a new, free-market law.
Thus far the problem has been what and what not can be included in a reconciliation bill that only needs 51 votes to pass the Senate. The bill being presented does not contain things like group insurance plans by associations, buying policies across state lines, tort reform, or removing a lot of Obamacare regulations. What is left is something that conservatives have called “Obamacare-light.” The rest of the provisions, it is promised, will happen in a separate bill where 60 votes will be needed.
Cruz, a Harvard-trained lawyer, has found a way around all that. Ordinarily, it is up to the Senate Parliamentarian what and what cannot be included in a reconciliation bill. However, the senator has found a provision in the 1974 #budget Act that states that the Vice President, as President of the Senate, can also determine what can be in reconciliation. Hence, Obamacare can be tossed on the ash heap of history and replaced by free market reforms in one fell swoop.
If the Senate Republicans are willing to do it. Invoking the provision of the Budget Act would be seen as a radical move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats would be enraged and will protest to the heavens. But it looks like the Republicans can roll them over and fix the greatest public policy blunder in a generation, if not a century. All they have to do is not go wobbly and stick together.
Of course, it should be mentioned that Obamacare was passed using dodgy tactics and lawyers’ tricks. It would only be fitting if the dysfunctional health care law is repealed using some clever lawyering. Trump will get his first legislative victory, Healthcare would be fixed, and Cruz becomes the master of the Senate. So much winning. #Ted Cruz
I always thought it was funny that a guy that says one thing one day, and then the opposite the next, would nickname Cruz “Lyin’ Ted”. I never got that.
Should be pretty easy if the President and VP agree with him.
Sadly, I don’t expect Obamacare to be repealed for the same reason I don’t expect a flat tax. It is pretty clear, from what I’m seeing and hearing from congress, based on their actions, that they consider the cost to the country, economy, and their political careers to be to great to simply repeal and then try to replace.
i.e. they are politically afraid to do anything other than make minor modifications. Big changes are just too scary.
I see it this way:
Imagine some guy invents a device that costs 50 cents to make and can be sold for $5, and takes ten minutes to install on your car, and will quadruple your gas mileage. I can guarantee that if the FedGov can’t kill the developer in court, they will kill him with a double tap or car accident.
The reason? It would wreak havoc on our economy and culture, not to mention major contributors to their campaign.
Only gradual change is permitted.
he is Conservative through and through... :)
I concur and I'll ignore the naysayers! :-)
Invoking the provision of the Budget Act would be seen as a radical move.
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By the media, by the demonrats, by the Rinos...all these same folk who see killing a thousand innocent babies before they are born, EVERY SINGLE DAY......NOT A RADICAL MOVE.
THE RIGHT NEEDS TO BE RADICAL! IT IS FIGHTING ILLEGAL COURT ACTIONS, ILLEGAL ALIENS AND AN UPCOMING ELECTION IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ......NUKE THE DAMN FILIBUSTER FOR GOD’S SAKE. NOW.
Yep!
The GOP is just playing politics as usual. Streching out the process to get more time to make more money from lobbyist and other people. Cant make as much money on a bill that gets done in 7 days, as one that takes 17 weeks.....and all that free TV and Radio air time. OH YEAH.
The Filibuster rule should have been nuked the first week Trump was in power....50 days now and we are still playing games.
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