Republicans find loophole in budget ploy to push through healthcare legislation

The Hill ^ | 02/03/10 | Alexander Bolton

[FTJM]

As it turns out, Senate Democrats may not be able to force healthcare legislation through the chamber on a simple majority vote.

Republicans say they have found a loophole in the budget reconciliation process that could allow them to offer an indefinite number of amendments.

Though it has never been done, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) says he’s prepared to test the Senate’s stamina to block the Democrats from using the process to expedite changes to the healthcare bill.

Experts on Senate procedural rules, from both parties, note that such a filibuster is possible. While reconciliation rules limit debate to 20 hours, senators lack similiarconstraints on amendments and could conceivably continue offering them until 60 members agree to cut the process off.

[SirJohnBarleycorn]

Though it has never been done, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) says he’s prepared to test the Senate’s stamina to block the Democrats from using the process to expedite changes to the healthcare bill.

One of the few Republicans with "onions," as Bill Raftery might say.

[cranked]

The real Repubs need to continue to watch for Dem attempts to stealth (side car legislation) this ObamaCare garbage through while making it public knowledge when discovered.

[goldstategop]

Yep. The Democrats would be forced to vote down GOP amendments and they now the lack the 60 votes to end the amendment stage of the reconciliation procedure. They won't get a bill that can clear both Houses of Congress, that's for sure.

Heh

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[beethovenfan]

KILL the effing thing!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

It is really gonna piss off the Dems who lose their jobs over this, with nothing to show for it. LOL!!

[padre35]

If the healthcare socialization was half as robust as the Zombie that is the actual Bill, we will never be rid of it.

This thing has more lives than Duncan McLeod.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

They won't get a bill that can clear both Houses of Congress, that's for sure.

Heh

I am cheering on what Maureen Dowd recently wrote about the Republican's "inflexible inflexibility" on HCR!

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

It’s new name is ZOMBIE legislation.

[McGavin999]

Will someone please tell the senate republicans to make one of those amendments "Personal use of military aircraft by members of congress shall be paid for by the members consitiuants".

Just want to see Nancy's face when that one is made *grin*

[JLLH]

God Bless DeMint!! Go, DeMint, Go!! Stay ever vigilant!

[TChad]

Excellent.

[Pan_Yan]

They won't get a bill that can clear both Houses of Congress, that's for sure

You have much greater faith in the GOP than I do. Remember, the Republican Senators told everyone confidently that health care was dead on arrival in the Senate. The only thing that has saved us so far is Pelosi incompetence and Massachusetts anger.

[jch10]

How does SC send us the best senator in the USA and also the worst?

[GailA]

Socialized Med Thread

[upchuck]

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.): kicking ass and taking names. YES!!!!

Jim DeMint Ping!

Want on or off this ping list? Just FReepmail me.

Follow Sen. DeMint on Twitter.

I've been praying Jim would find a way out of this for us. Answered!

[w4women]

Absolutely agree....DeMint is ever vigilant. He would make a great President.

[stephenjohnbanker]

DeMint has been battling Obama since January of last year. This was well before anyone else had the guts to join him. We won’t forget that, Mr. DeMint!

[DrGunsforHands]

Does anyone know if Alan Frumin, the current Senate Parlimentarian, leans to the right or left?