Senate Republicans Trotting Out the Delay Tactics

President Barack Obama’s hope of getting new health care legislation passed by Christmas may not be realized, especially if Senate Republicans, who seem intent on using whatever strategies they can to delay the vote until next year, have anything to do with it. That’s not to say all Democrats are particularly thrilled with the way it’s shaping up either. –KA

ABC News:

On Capitol Hill, Democrats faced further delays today as Republicans demanded that an amendment in the health care bill that would introduce a single-payer system be read on the Senate floor — all 766 pages.

Such delays by GOP lawmakers could force senators to stay in session through Christmas or force Democrats to wait until next year to vote on their health care overhaul bill.

[…] Normally, senators allow their amendments to be entered into the record without actually making the clerk read them. But Republican Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma doctor who opposes Democrats’ health care overhaul efforts, objected when Democrats tried to enter an amendment into the record today, saying the amendment must be offered 72 hours in advance and with a full cost assessment. He then invoked his right to require that the amendment be read out loud.

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