Harkin: 60 Democrats May Not Be Enough For Health Care; Reconciliation A Distinct Possibility

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/harkin-60-democrats-may-not-be-enough-for-health-care-reconciliation-a-distinct-possibility.php

Harkin: 60 Democrats May Not Be Enough For Health Care; Reconciliation A Distinct Possibility
By Brian Beutler - July 13, 2009, 9:17AM


Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is at odds with some of his liberal colleagues. Unlike Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Harkin thinks it may be hard to keep the 60 members of the Democratic caucus united against Republican filibusters--and that means the party may pass health care reform through the budget reconciliation process.

"I think Democrats being Democrats -- like Will Rogers once said, 'I'm a member of no organized political party: I'm a Democrat' -- I think that holds true today," Harkin told the Iowa Gazette.

Under those circumstances--and with Republicans largely united against all of President Obama's agenda items--how will Democrats possibly pass a major initiative like health care reform? In a budget reconciliation bill, it seems, which can't be filibustered. Harkin called that a "distinct possibility."

Democrats in both chambers are hoping to pass a health care bill through regular order by the beginning of August, and have it ready for the president to sign by October, ahead of the budget reconciliation bill--but time is running out.

This is what is needed in the Senate, not "60 votes"

as Senate leader, LBJ was a big-time compromiser. Maybe that wasn't so bad with Ike, but do we really want that now, with this GOP?

Harry Reid's idea of herding cats is to blow on a dog whistle. Can you imagine what Baucus or Harkin or Blanche Lincoln would do If LBJ was in their face about a vote?

he'd be using the treatment on Boxer and Feingold and Sanders, getting them to go along with Baucus, et al.

Wishing that Russ Feingold or John Kerry would learn how to do "The Treatment".

How many truly well-informed United States citizens who aren't in the pockets of the health insurance industry actually oppose the idea of Medicare for All?

Not many, I'd expect.

With whom are we really compromising?

I've heard arguments both ways (I can be used and it can't). From this explanation it sounds like you still need 60 votes to overrule an objection to a provision and I'm sure there would be lots of objections http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconciliation_(U.S._Congress). Even if it can be done, I think it would be a mistake for something this important.

the link about isn't posting right "(U.S._Congress)" is part of the url.

It has its uses.

nothing to be "concerned" about.