During the bipartisan health summit, President Obama had this to say about the use of reconciliation to pass health care reform:
"I do think that they want a vote," Obama said. "And I think most Americans think a majority vote makes sense."
Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for the use of reconciliation to pass health care reform! You were excellent in batting down these Republicans like Senator Barroso with your remarks, and I'm proud of how you performed today during this bipartisan health summit. We need more stuff like this from you, and once again, thank you.
Here's the great video in which President Obama slapped down Barroso!
"Would you be satisfied if every member of Congress just had catastrophic care--you think we'd be better health care purchasers?" Obama asked Barrasso. "I mean, is that a change you think we should make?"
"I think actually we would," Barrasso responded. "We'd really focus on it. We'd have more, as you say, skin in the game. And especially if they had a savings account--a health savings account--they could put their money into that, and they'd be spending the money out of that."
Obama's retort left Barrasso speechless:
"Would you feel the same way if you were making $40,000. Or if that was your income. Because that's the reality for a lot of folks," Obama said.
Democrats are also fighting back to defend the use of reconciliationas a valid parliamentary procedure in passing health care reform by showing this list of bills that passed under reconciliation:
1981
H.Con.Res. 307
Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-499)
1982
H.Con.Res. 115
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-35)
1983
S.Con.Res. 92
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-248)
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-253)
1984
H.Con.Res. 91
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1983 (P.L. 98-270)
1986
S.Con.Res. 32
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-272)
1987
S.Con.Res. 120
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-509)
1988
S,Con.Res. 93
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-203)
1990
H.Con.Res. 106
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-239)
1991
H.Con.Res. 310
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-508)
1994
H.Con.Res. 64
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66)
1996
H.Con.Res. 67
Balanced Budget Act of 1995
1997
H.Con.Res. 178
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193)
1998
H.Con.Res. 84
Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33)
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-34)
2000
H.Con.Res. 68
Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of 1999 (H.R. 2488)
2001
H.Con.Res. 290
Marriage Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000 (H.R. 4810)
2002
H.Con.Res. 83
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16)
2004
H.Con.Res. 95
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-27)
2006
H.Con.Res. 95
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171)
Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-222)
2008
S.Con.Res. 21
College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-84)
It just doesn't stop here--progressives in the House like Rep. Pingree and Senator Sanders are also stepping up to make this bill a better one until the very last minute. Please call Rep. Pingree and Senator Sandersand thank them for stepping up for the public option in reconciliation!
It's great to see Democrats fighting back against the lies of Republicans, and this reminds us all why bipartisanship doesn't work anymore. Seeking bipartisanship will get us nothing but scorn from Republicans, so we've got to go around them by using reconciliation.
That's the price they have to pay for being obstructionists.
Also, I'd like to thank you guys for your great participation yesterday. You were awesome, and completely rocked Congress to the core! From my estimate, about 1628 kossacks participated in the 1,000,000 Voices Virtual March. It means a lot to Eve and I that you all pitched in for this wonderful event yesterday.
My hat's off to you guys with many thanks from my heart.
Disclosure:
The funds donated to the Progressive Congress Action Fund, a 501(C)4 not for profit organization, will be used to advocate on behalf of the progressive agenda, to advance progressive legislation, and may include payments to individuals engaged in fund raising.