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Senate won't meet deadline on healthcare
From the WashingtonPost:
Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) confirmed today that the Senate would not pass health care reform legislation before the August recess.
That the Senate would miss President Obama's Aug. 7 deadline had been obvious for days, if not weeks, as the Finance Committee methodically crafts the one version of the legislation that is expected to gain bipartisan support. But Reid finally made it official, informing reporters that he had granted a request for more time from GOP negotiators.
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Although he said there would not be a vote, he did imply that the major work would be done before the recess. It's best that he express this reality now (rather than some dramatic response before the recess to give opponents some ammunition.) Obviously, he knows some of the key players are demanding more time and as long as that does not mean excessive amounts or giving up on the idea, it will calm the political games down and keep them focused. I feel confident they will still get this done and be ready for a vote soon after the break.
From MSNBC First Read:
*** MORE *** However, the Majority Leader said the Finance Committee WILL complete its work before the August recess. And during the recess, Reid will merge the Finance bill with the Senate health committee bill. That new bill will be brought to the floor for votes when the Senate returns in September, he said.
The current expectation is that the Finance bill will be fundamentally different from the Health committee bill in key areas -- specifically on a public option or government-run insurance plan. Republicans say they're concerned their provisions will be left out of the final bill.
Reid said he will continue to talk with Republicans "to give them assurances."
"We'll do what we can to make sure their issues are not buried. But I'm not going to make a deal with them here with all of you [reporters]," the leader said .
Reid also expressed confidence that the bill brought to the floor will be able to garner the super-majority of votes needed to break a filibuster. "I will work with the White House," he said. "I will work with the entire Democratic Caucus. I will work with some of the Republicans to come up with a bill. And I think it will be something we'll get 60 votes on."