I just read a twitter thread by Ezra Levin describing a method for stopping the AHCA through “Filibuster by Amendment,” a/k/a “Votarama.” Here’s the first one.
Ezra Levin (@ezralevin) |
Got a Democratic Senator? Here’s how they can ACTUALLY PLAY HARDBALL on TrumpCare. Yes, they have tools to use. Yes, they can win.
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The method is available because the Republicans are trying to use reconciliation to pass the odious AHCA. Reconciliation permits unlimited amendments before a vote can be made — “unlimited” means dozens, hundreds, even thousands of amendments to tie it up indefinitely. Apparently the only “tactic” being proposed by Democrats so far is calling for a vote on a bill to require public hearings — a toothless equivalent to a “sternly worded letter.”
Republicans have opened the door to tactics like this by their refusal to have open hearings and use of reconciliation in the first place. Republicans couldn’t use it in 2010 because the ACA passed with 60 votes (i.e., not by reconciliation).
I called my Senator (who is in the leadership) to urge him to support the tactic. The responding staffer said he wasn’t sure if the Senator was considering it. On twitter, someone who called Feinstein’s and Harris’s offices said their staffers were unaware of it.
So let’s make them aware of it.
Unlike calls strictly on votes, which only really apply in red or purple states, this tactic actually relies on calls to blue state Senators like in NY, CA or IL.
So call your Senators and let me know the response in the comments.
Votarama!