What about the supposed option to do it on a straight majority vote ?
If that truly is an option why wouldn't they take it ?
See down post...reconciliation has a whole bunch of problems that makes it totally unpalatable to the democrats. First, all reconciliation provisions sunset in 5 years. Second, because of its parlimentary chicanary, it does not have a cloture vote, which means that endless amendments can be offered and debated. Trying to reconcile this would mean that literally 1000 amendments can be offered by each repulican, and they must be debated. So if they try, I would hope our guys would take the ball and run the clock out. While it is I suppose a marginal threat, it would be political suicide...and as I previously stated, Mr. Reid does not want to reside in Searchlight in forced retirement, Washington DC is so much more fun...