Tag Archives: Reconciliation

Aw Crap

Posted on March 25, 2010 at 8:20 am by Bob Cesca

Speaker Pelosi to the rescue again. The Republicans were able to pass some changes to the reconciliation bill, so it has to go back to the House. Looks like we’ll be watching two more votes instead of one. Dare I … Continue reading →

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Demon Pass

Posted on March 16, 2010 at 9:48 am by Bob Cesca

The Republicans are predictably spastic about the House passing both the Senate bill and the sidecar in one vote — the “deem and pass” procedure. To recap, the procedure basically allows the Senate bill to pass the House if the … Continue reading →

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Public Option Betrayal or Political Necessity?

Posted on March 13, 2010 at 7:08 am by Bob Cesca

On the surface, Greenwald makes a good point about the public option. But when you dig deeper into the political realities of the current situation, it rings a little hollow. Several caveats for you in case you intend to click … Continue reading →

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Bill Passing Fever!

Posted on March 11, 2010 at 5:04 pm by Bob Cesca

Ezra Klein: The thinkable has happened, and the Senate parliamentarian has ruled that the president must sign the health-care reform bill before the House and Senate can act on a reconciliation package. Meanwhile, Harry Reid has instructed Mitch McConnell that … Continue reading →

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The 2010 Political Dictionary

Posted on March 8, 2010 at 7:47 am by Bob Cesca

Josh Marshall: “Jamming it through”: to vote on a bill. Steve Benen: “Treason” refers to Democrats criticizing a Republican administration during a war. “Patriotism” refers to Republicans criticizing a Democratic administration during a war. I would add: “Mixed-race, liberal pragmatist”: … Continue reading →

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Why Not President McCain?

Posted on March 5, 2010 at 1:41 pm by Bob Cesca

Here’s why not. McCain this week: In a direct challenge to Democratic leadership, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced an amendment on Thursday night that would prohibit Congress from using reconciliation to make changes to Medicare. Here’s McCain the whole rest … Continue reading →

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The Best Graph Ever

Posted on March 4, 2010 at 3:12 pm by Bob Cesca

Praised by Rachel Maddow last night as the greatest bar graph ever created, this is a must-see summation of the use of reconciliation since 1990.

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We'll Have Healthcare Reform Very Soon

Posted on March 3, 2010 at 11:42 am by Bob Cesca

The un-tweaked Senate bill will very likely pass the House and be signed by the president within the next couple of weeks. Roll Call learned that the reconciliation tweaks can only happen once there’s a signed bill. But, perhaps complicating … Continue reading →

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Rachel Maddow vs. Republican Lies

Posted on March 3, 2010 at 7:40 am by Bob Cesca

The evidence of the Fox News / Frank Luntz takeover of the Republican Party continues to pile up. Last night, Maddow tore into the latest lie regarding reconciliation. I honestly can’t think of another instance this obvious in which prominent, … Continue reading →

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Super Stupid

Posted on March 1, 2010 at 9:02 pm by Bob Cesca

The press. Most of it. Kent Conrad, yesterday, said, “Reconciliation cannot be used to pass comprehensive health care reform.” And everyone in the press freaked out. But Conrad is correct, insofar as the Democrats aren’t trying to do that. The … Continue reading →

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