First, president Obama on reconciliation in 2005. Just replace “TANF program” with “health care”, “health care policy”, “health insurance regulations,” etc:
The TANF program affects millions of American children and families and deserves a full and fair debate. Under the rules, the reconciliation process does not permit that debate. Reconciliation is therefore the wrong place for policy changes and the wrong place for the proposed changes to the TANF program. In short, the reconciliation process appears to have lost its proper meaning. A vehicle designed for deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility has been hijacked to facilitate reckless deficits and unsustainable debt.” (Sen. Obama, Congressional Record, S .14150, 12/20/05)
Source Republican.Senate.gov)
And update from Politico:
Sen. Tom Harkin told POLITICO that Senate Democratic leaders have decided to go the reconciliation route. The House, he said, will first pass the Senate bill after Senate leaders demonstrate to House leaders that they have the votes to pass reconciliation in the Senate
Read the rest: Harkin: Reconciliation is a go and more on the political strategy from American Spectator.
(Via via Lyndsi Thomas.)
