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Government
& Public Affairs Update
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Government &
Public Affairs Team
Reginald M. Turner
John
Van Fossen, Practice Group Leader
Lucius A. Vassar
Chris Wagner
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House Forges Ahead With Reconciliation
Plan Despite Uncertainty on Vote Count
Democratic Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have mapped
out a strategy that will culminate with votes on the Senate-passed
health care reform legislation and a budget reconciliation health
care reform package by the end of the week. Meanwhile,
President Obama has delayed his trip to Southeast Asia in order to
help secure votes for his budget reconciliation plan.
At the same time, Republican leadership has expressed its desire to
do everything within its power to derail the Democrats' health care
reform push in spite of Republicans' claims that they too believe
reform is necessary.
In addition, both parties are eyeing the upcoming mid-term elections
as this debate plays out. Mid-term elections have historically
favored the minority party, and Republicans are expected to pick up
seats this year. Democrats' margins in both chambers are
sizable, and it is unlikely Republicans will be able to take control
of either chamber, but they are wagering that stopping health care
reform legislation will translate into more victories at the ballot
box this November.
The next phase of the health care reform process begins in the House
today as the Budget Committee is expected to approve the President's
reconciliation package. From there, the measure is referred to
the House Rules Committee, which has scheduled a vote on Wednesday
that is expected to send the package to the House floor by Friday or
Saturday. While the House awaits the arrival of the
reconciliation package, Democratic leaders and the President will
continue to meet with lawmakers that have yet to take a position on
the reconciliation strategy.
Because of procedural rules, the House will also be required to take
an earlier Senate version of the health care reform bill (H.R. 3590) that
the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, which the Congressional Budget
Office last week said would reduce the federal
deficit by $188 billion over a 10-year period. Both votes
will depend upon the ability of House Democratic Leadership's ability
to convince on-the-fence Democrats that there is a path forward in
the Senate.
In a break with tradition, Democrats are taking up a major piece of
contentious legislation in an election year, making this week in
Washington perhaps the most interesting week the nation's capital has
seen in years.
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If you have any questions concerning these issues,
please contact Chris Wagner at 202.772.0924 or cwagner@clarkhill.com.
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To find out
more about Clark Hill and our Government & Public Affairs
Practice Group, visit clarkhill.com
or call 800.949.3124
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