–House Majority Leader Says Dems ‘Prepared’ To Vote Again If Needed
–Rep. Hoyer: ‘We Have Taken An Historic Step’
–Dems Ready To Shift ‘Focus’ To Econ Growth, Jobs
–Must ‘Finish’ Finacial Regulatory Reform

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday
that he expects the Senate to approve the same reconciliation bill that
the House passed Sunday, thus completing the year-long health care
debate.

At a briefing, Hoyer said the underlying health care bill that
President Obama earlier Tuesday and the reconciliation bill that is now
before the Senate constitute a huge achievement.

“We have taken an historic step,” Hoyer said.

If the Senate passes the reconciliation bill without changes it
goes to Obama for his signature. But Senate Democrats first must defeat
dozens of Republican amendments and several parliamentary attempts to
remove provisions from the bill.

If the legislation is altered at all, it must be sent back to the
House for its reconsideration — and a second vote.

“I’m reasonably confident the Senate will defeat all amendments,”
Hoyer said.

If that occurs, this would “send the bill directly to the
president,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said that if the Senate alters the reconciliation bill, House
Democrats are “prepared” to vote again on the bill.

“We want to see it finished before we leave” for the spring recess,
Hoyer said, referring to the two week recess that is scheduled to begin
Friday.

Under Senate rules, reconciliation bills are limited to 20 hours of
debate and any amendments must be germane to the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that Republicans
will offer amendments to improve the bill.

A Republican appeal to the Senate parliamentarian to effectively
kill the reconciliation bill because of indirect changes to Social
Security was rejected Monday evening.

Senate Republicans are expected to make other motions that claim
the reconciliation bill violates the so-called Byrd rule that limit
provisions to matters related to federal spending and revenues.

If the parliamentarian rules in their favor, specific provisions in
the reconciliation bill would be removed — thus requiring a new vote by
the House .

On other matters, Hoyer said that Democratic leaders are ready to
shift the congressional agenda to employment issues.

“Our focus is on jobs and economic growth,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer also said that Democratic leaders are determined to “finish”
financial regulatory reform this year.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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