Senate filibusters allow 41 of 100 Senators to determine policy. Senate reconciliation allows 51 of 100 Senators to determine policy. Some Senators who are perfectly comfortable making policy by filibuster loudly decry reconciliation.
It is bizarre for those who regularly use filibuster to criticize the use of reconciliation. It is better for public policy to be determined by 51 votes than by 41. This is especially true in the case of healthcare reform. Congress has been working on healthcare reform for 70 years through 451 hearings. I believe that 70 years and 451 healthcare reform hearings are enough.
Filibusters used to be rare. The first one I remember was the filibuster in which Strom Thurmond participated in the 1960's to block enactment of civil rights laws. That relatively brief filibuster brought clarity and made the civil rights issue simple. Can a small handful of Senators block progress? The effort of Sen. Thurmond and his allies significantly damaged his credibility. Thankfully, the majority of the Senate was willing to sit, and force the Thurmond and friends to expose themselves to the public for what they were: obstructionists.
We are now over 70 years and 451 hearings into the lifelong struggle for healthcare reform.Healthcare reform has been in front of Congress for over 70 years. Over 450 hearings have been held. Senators opposing healthcare reform employ the same strategy every time. Raise money to run ads decrying "socialized medicine" and "government run healthcare" to demonize the idea that people receive healthcare as a right.
If the Senators opposing healthcare reform want to filibuster this issue, let them. Make them. Call their bluff. Let all of America see how desperate they are to block progress. The opponents of healthcare reform are not willing to begin with the areas of reform they support, are not willing to offer amendments to the existing bills, and have not forwarded their own proposals undermines their credibility.
"Start over." is the battle cry. "Start over." After 70 years and 451 hearings they want to "start over." What would we have told Strom Thurmond had he said that? When is enough enough? 70 years and 451 healthcare reform hearings are enough.
Senate filibusters allow 41 Senators to determine policy. Senate Reconciliation allows 51 Senators to determine policy. It is better to determine policy with 51 Senators than with 41 Senators. Filibusters may have their place, but the current minority party in the Senate is abusing the process.
70 years and 451 healthcare reform hearings are enough.
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