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Bruno
03-21-2010, 10:04 PM
http://republican.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_Id=6b53ad02-2d4b-4134-a08d-7c439defd83b

Senate Democrats Refuse Bi-partisan Meeting With Parliamentarian Until After House Votes

WASHINGTON DC – Senate Democrats have balked at a bi-partisan meeting with the Senate Parliamentarian to discuss a rule violation that could doom the entire House reconciliation proposal.

DON STEWART, McCONNELL SPOKESMAN: “Republicans have been trying to set up a meeting with Senate Democrats since yesterday to discuss this fatal point of order but have been met with nothing but silence. We suspect Democrats are slow walking us so as to have the House vote first. Since Senate Democrats refuse to meet with us and the Parliamentarian, we’ve informed our colleagues in the House that we believe the bill they’re now considering violates the clear language of Section 310g of the Congressional Budget Act, and the entire reconciliation bill is subject to a point of order and rejection in the Senate should it pass the House.”

BACKGROUND

DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP RELEASE: “The Congressional Budget Office estimate of the health care legislation shows an increase in Social Security revenues… CBO projects that the resulting increase in wages will generate $29 billion in additional FICA contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund.” (“Health Care Reform Update,” Office of Rep. Steny Hoyer, 3/21/10)

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT: “LIMITATION ON CHANGES TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any reconciliation bill or reconciliation resolution reported pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget agreed to under section 301 or 304, or a joint resolution pursuant to section 258C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, or any amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that contains recommendations with respect to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program established under title II of the Social Security Act.” (Congressional Budget Act Of 1974, Sec. 310g, P. 31)



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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER


Permalink Posted: March 21, 2010 at 4:00:58 PM EDT

TCE
03-21-2010, 10:08 PM
The Senate they can stall out by using a whole list of Parliamentary procedures. This will show McConnell's true colors. If he uses them, he is legitimately against the bill, if he doesn't, then he is just playing politics.

Original_Intent
03-21-2010, 10:13 PM
So what happens if it dies in the Senate? I thought healthcare at least in some version is on the way to Barry's desk for a signature...right?

TCE
03-21-2010, 10:16 PM
So what happens if it dies in the Senate? I thought healthcare at least in some version is on the way to Barry's desk for a signature...right?

The Senate bill that was voted on by the Senate on December 23rd (or 24th) was voted on and it passed, so that has now passed both chambers and goes to Obama.

However, the House crafted another bill with other health care changes in their reconciliation legislation and that got voted on. That will need to go to the Senate and get 50 votes there. However, since the Senate always amends bills for at least a week, the bill will bounce back to the House and be voted on after it is voted on in the Senate. So, we have to go through this again in a few weeks or a month/two months.