Charles Schumer Leans Toward Democrat-Only Health Care Solution
Posted:
08/24/09
Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said time is running short for the Senate to get a health-care reform bill passed and signed into law by the end of the year. Given the difficulties negotiating a bipartisan bill, Schumer said he'd rather ditch efforts to win GOP votes.
The New York Times reports that Democrats are considering use of a tactic known as "budget reconciliation" to pass the health bill, which would require only 51 votes instead of the 60 needed to prevent a Republican filibuster. This tactic would require showing that the bill would change federal spending or revenues.
According to a Bloomberg report, Schumer said Democrats are doing everything they can to come up with a bipartisan bill, but they are also looking into possible one-party options.
Meanwhile, Republicans object to using an expedited process to push the bill and are hopeful they will reach an agreement on a bipartisan plan. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Democrats would be abusing the legislative process if they push the bill through with little or no Republican support.
The New York Times reports that Democrats are considering use of a tactic known as "budget reconciliation" to pass the health bill, which would require only 51 votes instead of the 60 needed to prevent a Republican filibuster. This tactic would require showing that the bill would change federal spending or revenues.
According to a Bloomberg report, Schumer said Democrats are doing everything they can to come up with a bipartisan bill, but they are also looking into possible one-party options.
Meanwhile, Republicans object to using an expedited process to push the bill and are hopeful they will reach an agreement on a bipartisan plan. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Democrats would be abusing the legislative process if they push the bill through with little or no Republican support.