The House Energy and Commerce Committee has once again postponed marking up health care legislation, as negotiations between Democratic leaders, White House officials, and House Blue Dogs bore little fruit last night.
Now, though, at least one high-profile Democrat is suggesting that leaders might bypass the committee altogether, leapfrog its many Blue Dogs, and bring the bill to a vote.
“The preferable course would be to go through the committee,” Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-CT) said yesterday, after a day of bad news for health care reformers. “But all options will be on the table.”
A threat like that could speed negotiations along, but, if actualized, could unite a great number of Blue Dogs in revolt against the bill itself–and leadership won’t likely do anything if they think it will imperil reform efforts.
