Mitch McConnell: Severe reaction if reconciliation used
Senate Republicans issued a blunt warning to their Democratic colleagues today: Don’t even think about using reconciliation to ram through a health care bill.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that Democrats suffer a severe backlash if they used the procedural tactic, which would allow them to pass reform legislation with a bare 51 votes. This warning is not new – GOP leaders have gone so far as to call the use of this procedural maneuver a “nuclear” option – but McConnell renewed his warning amid reports that the Senate could still use reconciliation of they can’t win bipartisan support for health reform.
“Let me say…budget reconciliation has never been used to structure one-sixth of the American economy,” said McConnell. “If that option were chosen, there would be a severe, negative, and I think appropriate reaction from the American people.”
“If you thought the American people were upset in August, you haven’t seen how upset they will be if this device is chosen.”
McConnell acknowledged today that Republicans had in the past used reconciliation to pass tax cuts, but he said the large impact any health care package would have on the nation’s economy made any comparison unfair.
Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he is keeping open the option of using reconciliation, while stressing that he would rather pass a bill along less strictly partisan means.
Reid reiterated that message today – and lavished praise on Sen. Olympia Snowe, the moderate Maine Republican who finds herself in a prospective position of offering Democrats their 60th vote.
“I hope all Republicans follow her because she is a brilliant leader,” Reid said.
How dare those hypocrits! All they know how to do is obstruct and fear-monger. There is a majority of Americans who want this reform AND the public option. What you democrats should fear is a backlash from your constituents who put you in office because of your promise for healthcare reform, NOT fuckin do- nothing republicans!
Still lots more to come, I'll keep watching C-Span and crossing my fingers!
3 comments:
They are hypocrites for sure.. it doesn't matter what happens, the rethugs are going to yell about it.. whether they use 60 votes or 51.. who really cares how it passes.. just get the damn thing passed.
I say they should quit whining and sign it already.
They did it with the stimulus.
McC is as stupid as he looks. I have a real problem with threats.`
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