House Panel Pushes Toward End-Game On Healthcare
(Washington, DC) -- A congressional panel has pushed healthcare reform one step closer to finalization. On a split vote of 21-16, the House Budget Committee approved proposed changes to the Senate-passed health insurance reform bill. Later this week, the full House is expected to vote to approve the Senate bill, followed by votes on the changes, or "fixes." That would send legislation back to the Senate where, under complex parliamentary rules, a final bill could be approved with a simple majority of 51. The simple majority maneuver is an attempt to bypass normal Senate procedures requiring a supermajority of 60 to move key issues forward. Republicans are expected to continue their unanimous opposition to healthcare reform, which stalled after the House and Senate passed different bills last year. |