Back in November, the House bill passed its bill with 220 votes. Since then, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has resigned from the House and now Murtha died, bringing the total to 218 votes, the exact minimum needed to pass. However, one of those 218 votes was from a Republican, Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), who has changed his mind and now vows to oppose the final bill.
With Wexler, Murtha, and Cao not voting "aye" when the Senate bill comes up, the Democrats are down to 217 votes, one shy of a majority.
Of course, the Senate bill is more conservative than the House bill in some ways--for example, no public option--so one or more Blue Dogs who opposed the House bill may vote for the Senate bill.
But on the other hand, the Senate bill also has no Stupak amendment, so a dozen pro-life Democrats who voted for the bill in Nov. could vote against the Senate bill, hoping that'll save their bacon in November.
Forget about "supermajorities" -- I don't think Pelosi can get a simple majority.
The RATs only need 217 votes to pass a bill, since there are only 433 members right now. That being said, there is no way that Pelosi can get all 217 remaining Democrats that voted for ObamaCare in November to vote for the Senate version (to name just one obvious defector, Stupak has already said that he won’t vote for the Senate bill). In fact, even if Pelosi submitted the exact same bill that the House approved in November (which she can’t do, since it would get filibustered in the Senate), she still wouldn’t be able to get 217 votes because Blue Dogs now know that voting for ObamaCare will kill their chances of getting reelected. All of this is just posturing for the benefit of Leftist groups.
They probably had it fixed so that the most vulnerable didn’t have to vote yes, but will the second time around to pass it. Just a guess.
A trick? A trick? The Dems want to pass this huge monstrosity by means of a trick? Bring it on, Dems. We will work to ensure not only a Congressional change in power, but an impeachment to boot. Obama's already been making friends on the SCOTUS.
Zero’s call for another televised “debate” with Republicans is all show - serious work isn’t done by politicians in front of cameras.
Zero will lecture Republicans as being heartless, obstructing the healthcare needs of millions of Americans. Republicans need to say that Zero is obstructing the WILL of the people - that a clear majority of Americans doesn’t want this bill, for one reason or another, and it’s pure arrogance to thrust it on them!
Otherwise, let them pass it. The will of the people will be deafening.
Hey Nancy - we have a little trick too. Guess you have not gotten the memo - people hate you. I mean they don’t just dislike or loathe you - they hate you.
Oh also with this vote count in the House - Thanks Newt and Dede for effing NY-23. Newt you RINO POS.
I hope those low down dirty dog sh8t rats try it. DO IT!!! DO IT you SOB’S. Mark my words, I will not pay a cent and I will not participate in any way. If it’s tied in with the IRS, I will throw it in the shredder. I mean it. I will not cooperate in any way.
Think: 300 of those in November.
DO IT YA EFFIN' MARXIST HAG! DO IT YOU SLIMY LITTLE COMMUNIST WALRUS-LOOKING PIECE OF S***!