No Reconciliation Mr.President!?
Do you agree?
Do you agree?
Jade
Favorite Answer
The American people have let the president know in no uncertain terms that we don't want this monstrosity of a health care bill! It isn't going to fix the problem. We can't afford it and it's not a good idea to take 500 billion from Medicare when the baby boomers are approaching retirement. We are all going to pay dearly if this bill is passed!
Colton
1) Imagine if everything were majority rule. It isn't for a reason.
2) Congress is majority rule, the Senate is not. The Senate requires that both parties work together.
3) Reconciliation is for budget items.
4) Poll after poll show that Americans like some of the items in the bill (coverage for pre-existing conditions for example), but don't want the entire thing.
5) If it's passed via reconciliation, it won't be good for the country or Dems. Dems will be voted out en masse, and I can't imagine that Republicans wouldn't use reconciliation to pass all sorts of legislation... including legislation to repeal this bill. It would be a free for all in the future. NOT what our country needs right now.
6) There are videos all over the web that show Dem leadership flat out saying that reconciliation shouldn't be used for anything but budget items. Look back at 2005, they were going nuts about Republicans threatening to use it.... Dems are probably just threatening anyway. Just can't imagine they'd actually do it.
Kiran C
The House passed a bill. The Senate passed a bill. Reconciliation is about making the House and the Senate bills match. If you like COBRA, or if you like welfare reform, it was passed using reconciliation. Reconciliation can be used to remove the back room deals like the Corn-husker Kickback and keep the rest of the bill. The White House Proposal already signals that move. Both bills reduce the deficit.
Yes to reconciliation. Full speed ahead, Mr. President.
tribeca_belle
No, I don't agree. If a majority vote through reconciliation will get health care reform finally passed, then absolutely that is what the Democrats should do.
Matt F
I hope they do it. I'm looking forward to 2012 when you'll be able to stand on top of the Washington Monument on a clear afternoon and not be able to find a Democrat.
Or maybe when Republicans decide they'll just pass whatever they want on a 51/49 vote and call it "reconsiliation" and use this insurance debacle as justification. Oh, like when they want to repeal this insurance debacle! 51 votes in, 51 votes out.