House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she's still committed to using a procedural trick to fast-track health care reforms this year — despite opposition from Sen. Max Baucus, the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
"I believe it's absolutely essential that we come out of this year with a substantial health care reform," Pelosi said during her weekly press conference. "I believe that is best served by having reconciliation in the package."
On Thursday, Baucus (D-Mont.) told POLITICO that the House was making a big mistake by going that route, saying putting health care through the budget process would prompt a partisan battle that will undermine health care policy. And he said a health care law would end up as “Swiss cheese” since it would be watered down from budget rules that can be used to block provisions that do not directly affect mandatory spending or revenues.
“The fact of the matter is that I don’t think the House is really thinking through the affect that reconciliation is going to have on the end game,” Baucus said. “And the end game is much more in jeopardy under reconciliation.” Baucus added that “many, many Democrats” in the Senate do not think it’s a wise move.
This argument over procedure has pit Democratic leaders against committee chairmen from their party, who, along with Republicans, are warning against using the fast-track budget process to enact one of Barack Obama’s signature initiatives.
What is going on? Every time there is a debate as to how to do something these Politicians find ways around the standard rules to get their way.
Wouldn't it be better for the American People to have the proper processes followed and have a resolution that represents all of us?
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