Democrats got to ask Republicans who have been critical of the secretive, hasty Obamacare repeal process to put their money where their mouths are in a symbolic vote Wednesday to send the legislation they’re considering to the relevant committee.
The vote on the motion, offered by Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) (pictured above), failed 48-52 on party lines. Donnelly’s motion would have sent the legislation back to the Finance Committee to strip the language cutting Medicaid. Later Wednesday a vote is expected on a motion offered by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) that would send the bill back to Finance to strike language that reduced the health care coverage for those with disabilities. Wednesday is the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Wednesday’s vote is a preview of what’s to come as the Senate moves into the so-called “vote-a-rama” later this week. Because Republicans are seeking to use a complex legislative process called “reconciliation” that allows them to avoid a Democratic filibuster, there is an open amendments period where members of both parties offer measures that mostly serve as show votes.
At the end of the process, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will offer an amendment that cleans up whatever mess is made with the open amendments, and it will serve as the vehicle for the final bill the Senate votes on.
The Republican’t Conundrum: How do I serve my constituents a giant shit sandwich and convince them that it’s Filet Mignon, while still retaining my corporate campaign cash and invitations to all the best D.C. cocktail parties?
Magical thinking.
This is like watching the sausage factory operate in reverse. When it is all done, you’ve got a pile of intestines and all the parts of a carcass that nobody would touch if they were served as-is.
Ah ffs it’s 2017, stop it with the powdered wigs already. Let public broadcasting folks perform shows with taxpayer money; legislators should be researching facts and deliberating
ottnott you win the internet for today - that is an effing brilliant metaphor on many levels!!