img0159Again we have another faux member of the Democratic coalition (Senator Joseph Lieberman, (I-Conn.)), today claiming Congress should not use budget reconciliation for universal healthcare reform. Well that is flat out BS perpetrated by Republicans and conservative Democrats who do not want to pass real universal healthcare reform.  The truth is Republicans used budget reconciliation to pass their infamous “Contract with America” before President Clinton vetoed the bill.

Budget reconciliation is a limited process.  However HumanRightPosterDemocrats have every right to split the universal healthcare bills in Congress into two separate bills.  One major piece of legislation which contains most of the regulatory language where 80% of the universal healthcare plan is agreed upon in the Senate by the Democratic coalition and the other bill would contain the more contentious legislation like the public option and tax increases on the rich.  The first bill could probably pass filibuster and the second bill can be crammed through using budget reconciliation.

All we can do is fight the lies and distortions of the truth.  Following  are two good sources showing how mostly Republicans shoved legislation down our throats numerous times using the budget reconciliation process.

A list of instances where reconciliation was implemented:

“Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1983
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
Balanced Budget Act of 1995 (vetoed)
Personal Responsibility and Budget Reconciliation Act of 1996
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of 1999 (vetoed)
Marriage Tax Relief Act of 2000 (vetoed)
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005”

Furthermore Republicans passed a great deal of policy through budget reconciliation.

“Whether reducing or increasing deficits, many of the reconciliation bills made major changes in policy. Health insurance portability (COBRA), nursing home standards, expanded Medicaid eligibility, increases in the earned income tax credit, welfare reform, the state Children’s Health Insurance Program, major tax cuts and student aid reform were all enacted under reconciliation procedures. Health reform 2009 style would be the most ambitious use of reconciliation but it fits a pattern used over three decades by both parties to avoid the strictures of Senate filibusters.”

18
Leave a Comment

Please Login to comment
5 Comment threads
13 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
5 Comment authors
QuestiniasuzycoloradoKQµårk 死神FeedUpAdLib Recent comment authors
  Subscribe  
newest oldest most voted
Notify of
FeedUp
Guest

I think Bernie Sanders is A-OK, along with Dennis K. of Ohio and Dick Durbin – IL (by the way he is from my original hometown). A
Chicago suburb of working class people that was once a great manufacturing town.

AdLib
Admin

So what would happen if a bill is put through reconciliation and some sections like the public option are clearly allowed but others may be questionable?

Like some contracts, would the sections not appropriate for reconciliation be severable, allowing the other sections to be passed or would the whole bill be disallowed?

If the former, it could be a great political move for the Dems to put the whole burrito into reconciliation and if the most popular and non-financial aspects are killed, the Repubs take full blame for it and the Dems would be in a powerful position to win a vote on those sections in a new bill.

I know that the Dems claim that due to the Senate schedule, a second bill on Health Care would have a bit of a delay but with the non-controversial issues the only ones left and everyone seeing that the earth didn’t open and swallow everyone because the public option was passed, public opinion should make this a slam dunk.

FeedUp
Guest

For goodness sake Joseph Lieberman, (I-Conn.) campaigned with
John McCain. The I behind his name stands for I am my own Island.

AdLib
Admin

Funny, I thought it stood for “Idiot”.

suzycolorado
Member
suzycolorado

Maybe, “i” already have great insurance so who would “I” give a damn about reforming healthcare?

suzycolorado
Member
suzycolorado

hmmmm. i really need a preview button. lol

and and i’m stoopid smiley??? just kidding kev 😉

Questinia
Member

BOO!
I adore you suzyco but unless you DON’T have healthcare insurance, you have no business being on this thread. 🙂

suzycolorado
Member
suzycolorado

I don’t have Dental. Does that count?

Q-t-pie???

Questinia
Member

OK. NOW I’m feeling your pain!

AdLib
Admin

Joe needs his “I”s examined. And the rest of his Elmer Fudd head for that matter.

AdLib
Admin

Absolutely!

Why do the losers of the election get to set the rules? The Repubs say the Dems shouldn’t use reconciliation to pass bills the way they did when they were the majority because it’s just not right.

It’s only right when the GOP does it.

What kind of wimps and losers would the Dems turn out to be if they felt obliged to follow the arbitrary and voluntary limitations shouted at them by the small minority of Repubs WHO LOST THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS.

I am going to assume they won’t and the public option is going to be passed through reconciliation.

And the Dems will then enjoy 30+ years as the dominant party for giving Americans something so necessary and valuable to their lives, the lives of all Americans from that point forward and the economy.