So far, it's mostly been republicans blathering, lots and lots of crying about government takeovers, blahblahblah. Definitely watch the full session from the beginning later; Ryan's opening whinge was hilarious.
In the meantime, you can watch it here. Among the highlights (lowlights?) Is that the GOP is still whinging about what a strange and exceptional use of reconciliation this is, yadda yadda WATB, etc.
Basically, the bill has already been voted to be reported to the house floor without recommendation and it was noted that a quorum is present.
It was agreed that a motion to reconsider be allowed to fine tune language in the bill later and the procedural portion of mark-up now finished.
There is a deadline of midnight tonight, but they are allowing consideration of 10 motions to instruct, with 20 minutes per, I think.
Anyhoo, yah...tune on in and hop into the sandbox! As I type, Rep. Bishop is laying the smack down to the "government interfering in your medical treatment" nonsense.
Go Dems, Go!
I Googled motion to instruct and it's fun and all, but they are non-binding resolutions, really. They essentially advise conferees as to negotiating points.
MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES, if adopted, asks House or Senate conferees to take a certain negotiating position.
In conference with the other house, the conferees are free to follow or to ignore the advice of their chamber. Conferees are given this flexibility to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.
Update [2010-3-15 15:56:27 by Cedwyn]: Connie Mack's motion not agreed to.
Update [2010-3-15 17:19:38 by Cedwyn]: Campbell motion to delay implementation due to deficit concerns not agreed to.
Update [2010-3-15 17:19:38 by Cedwyn]: Etheridge motion agreed to. Schwartz, too. I swear, the GOP insists on a roll call vote every time.
Update [2010-3-15 17:19:38 by Cedwyn]: Ryan's motion not agreed to. OMG...he just said he feels like a pyromaniac in a field of strawmen. LOL.
Update [2010-3-15 17:19:38 by Cedwyn]: GOP motion not agreed to. Rep. McCollum with a motion now.
Update [2010-3-15 17:34:56 by Cedwyn]: McCollum motion agreed to after a few vote changes.
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