Democrats on Capitol Hill are dusting off the so-called “nuclear option,” the latest sign that their health care push could be derailed by a Republican win in Tuesday’s surprisingly competitive special election for Massachusetts senator.
The procedural move known as reconciliation, called the “nuclear option” because it would shut down a GOP filibuster, has been discussed by Democrats since last year as a last resort to pass health care reform legislation intended to lower health costs and cover millions of uninsured Americans. President Obama has made it his domestic policy priority.
Democrats hold a commanding majority in the House, and in the Senate, their 60 votes are enough to avoid a filibuster. But the balance could change if Republican Scott Brown beats Democrat Martha Coakley on Tuesday to win the late Ted Kennedy’s former Senate seat.
If Republicans win, Obama and Democratic congressional leaders would have a political window of perhaps days if they were to try ramming a final bill through the Senate — at considerable risk of incurring public wrath. All 40 Republicans are opposed to the legislation out of concern that it costs too much and increases the government’s role in the health care industry.
Democrats clearly are weighing their options.
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Updates:
3:05 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — Mass. Senate race crucial to Obama
3:10 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — Brown Supporters: The Most Motivated Voters Ever?
3:12 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — Cook: Brown now favored
3:52 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — Hysteria
3:56 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — More bad news for Democrats
6:12 pm EST, January 17th, 2010 — Blatant Arrogance (Obama’s church speech in full)
Good luck, Scott Brown!!
I think Scott will win but we’ll see on Tuesday. Today I read somewhere that the “Tea Party” folks are importing thousands of people to fight the unions. As others have said, this is getting very interesting.
Remember Jack, it is not how many vote, it’s who counts the votes. And in such a democratic state I would imagine that every poll will be staffed by mainly democrats.
Regardless, this race has put most democrats in danger in Nov. They will have to raise lots of money to save supposedly safe seats, and then try to win some republican seats.