Posted on 03/01/2009 4:30:38 PM PST by cdchik123
President Obamas budget director said the White House would consider using a Senate procedural tactic so that only 50 votes would be rquired to pass major healthcare and energy reforms.
Peter Orszag, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said the administration would prefer not to use the budget reconciliation process to push through its package. But he added: "We have to keep everything on the table. We want to get these.... important things done this year." Orszag called healthcare in particular "the key to our fiscal future."
Orszag made the comments on ABCs "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
Because they can not be filibustered, budget reconciliations only require 50 votes to pass the Senate. Democrats hold strong majorities in Congress, but still come up short of the 60 votes necessary in the Senate to end debate, which makes it easier for Republicans to block legislation. House rules in comparison make it harder for the minority party to stop bills.
Still, using budget reconciliation to pass policy proposals is controversial, even among some Democrats who believe doing so strains Senate rules and tradition.
The Obama blueprint calls for major changes in both energy and healthcare policies that is likely to engender significant opposition from Republicans and business lobbies. The reforms are expect to win widespread support from Democrats and more left-leaning constituencies.
The budget plan calls for a cap on carbon emissions, for example, and projects $645 billion in revenues from an auction of pollution permits that a variety of business groups, including oil companies, large manufacturers and utilities, would have to purchase.
On healthcare, the plan calls for a $634 billion reserve fund to pay for a first step on healthcare reform.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
>>>>Just what is his definition of bipartisanship?<<<<
BOHICA.
I won you lost.
Now I control everything.
Why bother? There won't be any election, come 2012.
I am one of little faith that there will be a 2012 Election at least in the sense of a unmanipulate and uncorrupted one.
The testing ground was the last Governers election in Washington State. The Minn. Senator debakel and ACORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's why they are referred to as 'The Stupid Party'...
"He's on a roll"
One would think this would make the esteemed Congress feel a tad irrevelant. He is putting out the message that he doesn’t care what his congressional minions think, that he doesn’t need them. And if any of those Democratic Senators don’t agree with him? He’ll push them aside and get it done without them.
How can they be so blind? How can they continue to support a dictator?
it’s going to be a hell of a lot quicker than 10 years, how about 10 days
Show of hands of everyone who KNEW this day would come. Republicans were angst ridden over the nuclear option while we were screaming that the Democrats would bend the Senate in a pretzel in a heartbeat if it so inclined them.
Gang of 14, what do you have to say about this?
And the Republicans were so afraid of using the nuclear option.
I think they were more interested in NOT being called “obstructionists”. When will they grow a spine!
Don't forget that Hussein and the dems will be presiding over a large tax increase in 2011.
Breaking up the country is the only way if we really want to live Free.
There are plenty of wolves in Shoeple clothing waiting for the right moment...
I am laughing at the Gang of 14. Ah...the comity of the Senate is so important. Damn fools.
Calling John McCain, calling John McCain! Exactly what I predicted when Juan led the Gang of Fourteen to preserve the filibuster. His argument was that if Republicans spiked the filibuster they’d throw away their chances to use it when they were in the minority. I said at the time that when the Republicans were in the minority the Democrats would use the nuclear option to strip them even of that minority tactic.
“Orszag called healthcare in particular “the key to our fiscal future.” “
Further proof that Orszag is a charlatan, a snake oil salesman who now has his moment at the head of the boardwalk.
The 0bama healthcare provisions are prescriptions for massive adds to the already astronomical deficit, and the requisite taxation will push productive capital out of the US to more appealing tax structured countries. Then...the tax burden will fall lower on the economic scale, at proportionally higher rates.
And if they REFUSE?
Rush’s speech was inspiring, but wishful thinking. The “American people” as currently exists, is the dumbest, most uneducated, selfish rabble that has ever existed in our history. And it seems clear that a majority don’t give a shit about our future.
And has one of the worst toupees I have ever seen.
It is tyranny and the Republicans need to use this word on TV every chance they get.
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