Obama Sets Stage to "Rham" Healthcare Bill Through on Reconciliation

The Hill ^ | 9-10-09 | Sam Youngman

[FrdmLvr]

Obama sets stage for using budget maneuver to pass health reform

By Sam Youngman - 09/10/09 05:19 PM ET

President Barack Obama this week has been laying the foundation for Senate Democrats to use a controversial budget maneuver to pass healthcare reform.

By offering Republicans olive branches during his address to Congress on Wednesday, Obama has set up a win-win situation. If GOP lawmakers embrace compromise, a healthcare bill would pass Congress easily. But the more likely scenario is that Republicans will continue to oppose Obama’s plan, and the president later this fall will be able to note he tried to strike a deal with the GOP but could not.

That will set up a Democratic argument that Senate leaders have been forced to use a partisan budget tool known as reconciliation to pass a health bill through the Senate by a simple majority, instead of 60 votes. Under the budget plan they passed earlier this year, Democrats could invoke the reconciliation process on Oct. 15.

[FrdmLvr]

This is set for Oct. 15. That's one month away. I think it's time to wage another huge, 50 state protest. I say hold it the weekend before and bill it: "Washington Are You Listening?" Something like that. We should carry campaign signs of all our current congressmen's primary opponents, Democrat and Republican, if we know who they are. That should get their attention more than any tea party slogans. Can you imagine the impact of thousands of signs bearing: their opponents's names? "Smith for Congress 2010! District 9!" We have to kill this bill.

[Question Liberal Authority]

By offering Republicans olive branches

"You're all liars and fascists who want to see people die. Get out of my way while I take control of your body and the very air you breathe."

Hate to see him when he's uppity.

[God luvs America]

zero’s set up a win-win situation??? yes; if one considers cutting off there own nutz some sort of victory....

[linn37]

In other news Obama still set to force government run health care no matter what.

[bigbob]

he can “rahm” it, alright...

[blondee123]

One word: REVOLUTION (if he does this)! You thought the townhalls were heated, just wait!

[givemELL]

The BIG ONE is this bill. Lenin: “Medicine is the cornerstone of the arch of the socialist state”. Once govt has control of all medical care, many peripheral, further controlling features of socialist govt. can be introduced through it. This initiative is curtains for the US.

[The Wizard]

and we will vote out every single dem who votes for this.

[Biggirl]

Well if Obama “RHAMS” “Obamacare” down our throats, there will be a BIG PRICE to pay come 2010.

[penelopesire]

If he does this....he will take the entire democrat party down with him.

[precisionshootist]

“If GOP lawmakers embrace compromise, a healthcare bill would pass Congress easily.”

It GOP lawmakers cave in for their own political gain we the voters will decimate them at the next election. Any GOP member that even hints at comprimise should be targeted for utter political destruction.

NO BILL PERIOD!!

[HarleyD]

This isn't going to be a “win-win” situation for the President. Polls show nobody bought his speech. If Obama does try to ram it through on a parliamentary trick, it's going to look like the President couldn't even get his own party to agree let alone the Republicans. I personally don't think the independents are going to like this one bit. This will be the kiss of death for the Democrats.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I wish Republicans would TOTALLY oppose this monster, instead of trying to “slow it down” or give Obama half-a-loaf. Obama hasn’t even listened to their plans at all, so why are Republicans still trying to work with him? Just oppose this bill, shoot it down.

[alecqss]

Sounds just like another “perfect” plan by the Dear Leader. He needs to rush, it’s not much time left...

[marstegreg]

Don’t worry. With everything thats hitting the fan right now, he would be an idiot to do it. I don’t even think HE thinks he can get away with it right now.

[Liz]

"You vile piece of white trash. How dare you demand healthcare?"

[antidemoncrat]

This is probably what the Dems will do:
Specify that no illegals will be covered but not allow for any verification of citizenship.
Take out death panel inferences but strip enough money out of Medicare so seniors will have their healthcare “rationed”.
Take out public option and replace it with nonprofit cooperatives and hope no one realizes it's the same beast with a new name.
Pass it by reconciliation and claim the Republicans were just trying to undermine the One and they had to do it this way to resolve the healthcare CRISIS (as in never waste a crisis).

[ronnie raygun]

Looks like the unemployment line in Washington will increase if this bill passes. WARNING if you vote yes for this we will vote no to you.

[The Unknown Republican]

Problem is that short of Revolution, once that genie is out of the bottle there is no turning back. So the Dems take a hit in the coming election...we’ve already established that the people have a very short memory with the way 9/11 has gone. The Dems figure that if they take a hit it will be short term...but this bill will go on if passed.

[arthurus]

How does this Reconciliation process work? I had thought that it required that two different versions of a bill be passed in the Senate and House that then are reconciled by a committee composed of members of both houses which then goes back to both houses for a nonfilibusterable vote. This reference seems to imply that a Reconciliation vote does not need a version of the bill to be passed by the Senate at all. ?? The House passes a version then the Senate and House reconcile it with the Senate lack of any bill then it goes back for a simple majority vote?