Harry Reid Says GOP Should "Stop Crying" About Reconciliation

[kpete]

Source: CBS

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters Tuesday that Republicans "should stop crying" about the possible use of the parliamentary procedure known as budget reconciliation to pass a health care reform bill.

Reid said reconciliation had been used 21 times since 1981, mostly by Republicans when they were in control of the Senate for the passage of items like the Bush tax cuts. (Here's a handy chart of when the procedure has been used.)

Under reconciliation, Democrats would need a simple majority in the Senate to pass legislation, as opposed to the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.

"They should stop crying about reconciliation as if it's never been done before," Reid said.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/23/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6235624.shtml

[Bluzmann57]

1. Thank you captain obvious!

A lot of people have been saying that for a long time. It's nice of Reid to say it now. I suppose.

[elocs]

3. If we eliminated stating the obvious at least half of the DU posts would be gone. n/t

[Winterblues]

9. And your post?????

...just saying....:shrug:

[elocs]

10. You're right, it should be obvious that much of DU is about stating and restating the obvious.

That's obvious now. Obviously.

[Bluzmann57]

17. Just to clear up any confusion...

My "thank you captain obvious" post was not meant as any type of negativity against the poster, Kpete. It was directed toward Senator Reid, who should have been saying this a year ago. Sorry if you or anyone else was confused by my post. Thank you and have a nice day.

[RedCloud]

8. Stop the talking and start getting 'er done!

[karynnj]

2. YAY!!! I have been waiting for some prominent Democrat to make the point that Bush and others used

it. It is ridiculous that they have tried to make it CW that it is somehow "cheating".

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Replace "should" with "better" and I'm on board.

[Mithreal]

5. Sure is easy to stall Dems.

Stop talking about it, damnit.

Senator Patty Murray is part of Senate Leadership. She just met with the lil gang to weigh the pros and cons of using reconciliation. How does a Democratic massacre in November 2010 work for a con?

[Blue Owl]

6. Hmm, it must be "Take Your Spine To Work" week, or something...

n/t

[maxsolomon]

7. could have been done before Xmas, Harry

JESUS CHRIST GET ON IT ALREADY!

we have lots more Bush shit to fix, not to mention reregulating the finance industry (i'm not holding my breath).

[bamacrat]

11. 15 by Republicans 4 by a Democrat.

9 under Reagan alone. They want a different set of rules and expectations when we are in control. Ram it through. DO IT.

[GreenTea]

12. Then Harry Reid should stop fucking around & get reconciliation done & over with!

We've been waiting and demanding a public Option.

[Gman2]

13. Good God, when Harry Reid tells you to man up, maybe you'd best listen.

[depakid]

14. It's not Republican whining that's the problem...

[tinrobot]

15. Sounds like Harry found a few vertebrae

If he collects the whole set, he'll have a spine.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

16. There you go Harry getting tough worked wonders for Pres. Obama's approval it can work fofr you too.