Debate Opens on Health Bill; Democrats Divided

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Associated Press

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 30, 2009
Filed at 3:13 p.m. ET

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More Politics NewsWASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate opened debate Monday on landmark health care legislation that would extend coverage to millions of uninsured and ban onerous insurance practices, with Democrats vowing to work weekends to deliver on President Barack Obama's domestic initiative by year's end.

''There's not an issue more important than finishing this legislation,'' Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told his colleagues in putting them on notice for Saturday and Sunday sessions in December.

Reid said exorbitant health care costs have forced thousands of Americans into bankruptcy, creating an economic crisis that Congress must address.

However, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the $979 billion, 10-year Senate bill is too expensive for a nation struggling financially.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/30/us/politics/...

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Once the Democrats got the first 60 votes to invoke cloture, they only needed a majority to pass the bill itself. But if the GOP can pry one vote away, presumably they could use parliamentary procedures to filibuster this legislation, as they have done with every major piece of Democratic legislation.

[Renew Deal]

1. Democrats unanimously voted to open debate, yet they are divided?

Sounds like BS to me. The media loves to write "Democrats divided."

[Vincardog]

2. BS. The Corporate Owned media loves to write "Democrats divided."

[FarLeftFist]

4. Yes. Note the media source. AP

No surprise.

[The Northerner]

3. There'll likely be some trouble

As we all know, LIEberman claims that he will join the GOP in filibustering if the public option's not removed and Lincoln stated that though she voted to start debate she wouldn't support the PO as well.

Ben Nelson could be a problem as well.

But, there's always budget reconciliation.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. There's also waterboarding.

I mean, hell, when the Republicans come up with a good idea, we should acknowledge it and put it to prosocial use.

[earcandle]

12. Ben Nelson is part of C Street Family. Won't get anything but pomposity and duplicity from him.

[bluestateguy]

5. Typical MSM crap. The old "Democrats divided" meme

nt

[aintitfunny]

6. Exactly what I was thinking

[Elmore Furth]

7. You guys are missing the big picture -- budget reconciliation only requires 51 votes in the Senate

You guys strike me as kittens chasing a feather on a string -- distracted from the real power play.

The Democrats and Reid can use budget reconciliation any time they want to push the healthcare reform bill through with only 51 votes.

It can't be fiibustered proof since budget reconciliation allows for only 20 hours of debate. Since 54-56 senate Democrats on the record as supporting the bill with the public option, it's a lock to pass if budget reconciliation is used.

When they were in power, Republicans pushed through the three Bush tax cuts and a number of other bills with a simple majority using budget reconciliation to block a Democratic filibuster.

Ignore the spin and fake drama.

Ignore Reid's previous statements on reconciliation.


http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/67011-white-...

[Q3JR4]

9. If they use reconcilliation does that mean we'll get a truly progressive bill?

Nah....

Q3JR4.
Hoping that the Democrats grow a pair, but is not holding his breath...

[Old Codger]

8. If they can

They will find a way to stop it and attempt to convince us it was for our own good....

[AlbertCat]

11. ''There's not an issue more important than finishing this legislation,''

Yeah yeah.... I'm so sick of hearing this I have stopped watching KO and Rachel.

How about rather than just "finishing" it, you make it worthwhile and real health care, like Medicare for all.