If you’re following the ins and outs of the health care reform fight on Capitol Hill, Friday was brimming with drama, but was also, seemingly, of little particular consequence. One can only speculate about what was said behind closed doors, but in the end, the trajectory of the day’s events is best captured by a chronological reading of its headlines, which began blandly enough with the news that health care negotiations would continue behind closed doors between Blue Dogs and Democratic leaders; followed by puzzling news of a complete breakdown in those negotiations; and rounded out, mercifully, with the news that the warring factions had made peace and that the process would pick up again on Monday or Tuesday.
Unless tensions boil over once again (unlikely, but never impossible) things are basically right back where they were on Friday morning. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will finish marking up its health care package this week, and, depending on a number of issues–timing, progress in the Senate–that bill could come to a vote before the House adjourns for recess at week’s end.
Whether that happens, or whether a vote waits until September, Speaker Pelosi continues to sound notes of confidence. “When I take this bill to the floor, it will win,” Pelosi said over the weekend. “This will happen.”
