No Reconciliation for Climate Change Legislation
It was probably never gonna happen, but now it's official. Climate change legislation will not be passed through the budget reconciliation process. The Johanns amendment, which explicitly prevents such a move, just passed on a 67-31 vote. We'll get you a roll call when it's available, including the names of the significant number of Democrats who voted with the GOP. Expect to find the usual suspects on that list. And more!
Late update: I should note that the budget resolution isn't law and this amendment applies to this budget resolution and this budget resolution only. You shouldn't draw too many conclusions from that, of course, but it's probably important to note, amidst all of this arcana, that the Senate hasn't foreclosed on the option for all budgets in the future.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Not surprised nor particularly concerned. The Global War On Warming is a particularly tangled thicket. And while we've pissed away a lot of time debating this, its resolution isn't as pressing as other, economy-bolstering measures.
So, filibuster-busting resolution procedures are still in the cards for healthcare (#1 priority, IMO) at least. I'll take it.
April 1, 2009 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bet you a dinner that reconciliation gets ditched for that, too.
I'm sorry to be a downer, but I do not have confidence that Democrats will do the right thing, even with health care.
April 1, 2009 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Harry can't keep his Cacus together. I tend to agree with you.
John
April 1, 2009 7:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The American people generally do the right thing
after first exhausting every other alternative."
~Winston Churchill
April 1, 2009 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with jzap here. I think this is healthcare year, and I think there will be some arm-twisting to make that part of the agenda happen.
Nothing is certain in this life, but I do expect a serious, serious push. And you know, if it looks like it's not happening, we're not powerless -- we need to be willing to hit the streets. Or dial for DNC/OFA, as the case may be.
April 1, 2009 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
This on top of the test vote for the legislation is not good. It was a 54-43 on the test vote, and this would have been the only way to pass it.
April 1, 2009 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Don't these Democrats get it.
April 1, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frak.
My hopes are pinned on Copenhagen and the EPA, not on this Congress.
The kos slogan is "more and better Democrats -- first more, then better" . . .
I'm getting ready to move on to the "better" part.
April 1, 2009 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so into fratricide or ideological purity. But the Democrats seem to disappoint so regularly, it is very frustrating to make little progress.
Kos & Co. not only need to pressure and if need be push out bad Dems, but also to give them media cover by pushing the public debate more to the left. Some of these pols might be more cooperative if they weren't feeling pressured by the still-very-rightwing MSM, which acts like its still 2004.
Pressure the pols, but also pressure the media.
April 1, 2009 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
April 1, 2009 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
What precisely is the effect of the Johanns Amendment? Why couldn't it be removed in conference if the House includes reconciliation instructions?
April 1, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is McCain on this issue. He campaigned on Cap and Trade. Where is his plan now and why can't he bring his buddy from SC along?
This really should be an issue where 60 votes wouldn't be that tough.
April 1, 2009 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain and his SC friend are lying assholes. That's why.
April 1, 2009 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about just getting it passed to pass. If Repubs fillibuster it will be on our heads, but I think we can get it passed.
April 1, 2009 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
People looking at this like a "one or the other" sort of thing are wrong. They both on their way to being passed, I never expected it to be passed using reconciliation, we can get to 60 when the time comes.
April 1, 2009 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
this does not bode well. they should be ramming everything through this way and not even stopping to worry whether the Republicans care or not or why.
it comes down to this — if they can't pass one, they can't pass any. that's how this will end up playing out. they are going to let every piece of legislation be watered down to the point of utter meaninglessness, then pass something worse than that, on all of this shit.
I can't bear to watch. it's not going to be pretty.
April 1, 2009 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
The paper had a story that said that Dems were warming up to the idea of using this reconciliation tactic for health care. Even ones who expressed concerns or opposed it. That's good. It looks like they also want to do health care first, and cap and trade next. Also concerns it could be demagogued as bad for the economy probably are concerns. There is plenty of time in Obama's term, and I do want health care passed as soon as possible, so I am willing to wait.
April 2, 2009 12:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the important point that this story ignores and which will be an ongoing theme in the years ahead is that Senate Democrats killed this. Not Republicans. Democrats killed this.
The Democrats claim to represent the people at election time, but when push comes to shove they make no effort to hide who they truly represent and it ain't the common citizens of the nation nor is it their interests they represent.
April 2, 2009 3:13 AM | Reply | Permalink