All the news about the health care monstrosity continues to demonstrate that the Democrats are moving toward getting their bill out of the Senate. It is disappointing how easy it is to buy off and arm twist Senators. At this time, I think the bill will make it out of the Senate. Once this happens, it gets interesting. The only way this ends quickly is if the House bites the bullet and goes to pass the Senate version. That way it will be over and they don’t have to come back to the Senate. Considering how much the White House has been working over everyone to pass the bill, I can see this option being a real possibility. However, one should not underestimate the egos in the House. They have a lot in their bill that they see as being important. After all the bruising to pass their version, to walk away and take the Senate version will be a VERY bitter pill. Because of this, I think the reconciliation process is a real possibility. The bill that comes out has to pass both chambers again and there will be no ability to modify the bill. There is every possibility the compromises will strain the coalition that needed to be built to pass the first time. I am sure Nancy can get the 218 votes needed but getting back to 60 could be a real problem in the Senate. Time is on our side. If the bill goes to conference, it will be there for weeks if not months. When it comes out it, the public will get to read it and send some heat to everyone who is thinking of voting on the bill. Beyond that, there is the election year issues. The longer the process takes, the more it becomes an issue in the primaries and general election.
The people clearly do not like the bill. If this process drags out to election time, it will become the central theme of the election and based on the current polls, this will not be a good thing for the leadership of the Democrats. Obama has the luxury of not having a re-election fight for a few more years. This is not a luxury many in Congress have at their disposal. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the egos in the House rule the day and the bill goes to committee.
For once, I am glad congress is filled with self important fools.
- FOP Vermillion