Threat of reconciliation hovers over centrist Dems in healthcare vote

[babylonsister]

Threat of reconciliation hovers over centrist Dems in healthcare vote
By Alexander Bolton - 12/01/09 06:00 AM ET


Talk about using budget reconciliation to pass healthcare reform in the Senate has faded from public view, but Democratic leaders continue to hang the threat over centrists in private.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) discussed reconciliation with wavering centrists before an important procedural vote to begin debate on healthcare reform.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, three centrists, Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), voted to commence debate, despite heavy pressure from Republicans and conservative groups to oppose it.

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Under reconciliation, healthcare legislation could pass with a simple majority after a strictly limited floor debate. But lawmakers would have to carve up the bill to eliminate provisions that do not clearly raise revenue or cut spending and therefore would be subject to parliamentary objections. Reid has said that he could pass a government-run health insurance program, known as the public option, under reconciliation.

Landrieu said the subject came up during a meeting with Reid shortly before the pre-Thanksgiving vote.

“It came up in passing, but it wasn’t the focus of our meeting,” Landrieu told The Hill.

The threat of reconciliation could become more important as Reid wrangles with centrists over the public option.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/69871-threat-of-reconciliation-hovers-over-centrists-in-healthcare-vote