Why is President Obama so set on getting this health care legislation passed? To answer that would take some time so the subject is reserved for another post.
What about Republicans? Do they have any recourse? Yes, there are some checks and balances. Republicans can attempt to stop this vote by a filibuster. They can also attempt to stop this vote by proposing multiple amendments to this legislation. There is no limit to the number of amendments they can propose.
Whether or not they can do this will partly depend on a man named Alan Frumin, the Senate parliamentarian. His job is to interpret the Senate rules and decide on “correct” procedure. Apparently the main idea of his office is to keep things flowing smoothly in the Senate.
“Republicans bent on blocking the bill will attempt to stall with something known as a ‘vote-a-rama,’ back-to-back roll call votes forced after 20 hours’ debate.”* There is no limit to the number of amendments they can offer. Democrats will need Mr. Frumin to rule that this procedure is not “correct.” Or they will have to override Frumin, but overriding him would look bad. During the attempted vote on this legislation in December, Frumin would not let one of the Senators attempt to block the bill by reading a 767-page amendment aloud. This would have taken 12 hours.
Here are the problems.
Pushing this health care bill through by “reconciliation” will allow it to be approved by a 51 vote majority in the Senate. If it is approved by the Senate, it will not need a House vote as it will already be considered “approved” by the House. It will, however, be sent to the House for amendments. It is a very serious thing to take a legislation that affects the lives of all Americans and attach it to a Senate budget bill in an attempt to sidestep the appropriate voting process and skip the appropriate action which should be taken by the House. This bill is a matter for all our elected representatives, not just those in the Senate.
Mr. Frumin is the “parliamentarian” for the Senate. His responsibility is to interpret and call for “correct” procedure. Will he use this power fairly to allow all the checks and balances, or will he abuse these powers? When you think of Frumin, please pray for him. He is under tremendous pressure. I would not want to be in his place right now, or at any time.
*information on Alan Frumin and Senate procedure taken from The Charlotte Observer, The Big Picture, Section A, pp. 15A and 17A
When is a vote expected? The most recent information says that a vote may possibly take place on Sunday. Sunday? Why is the Senate doing business and voting on Sunday on legislation that is not even an emergency? May God forgive them and grant mercy on our nation.
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” (Psalm 57:1)