Crossing His Fingers: Rockefeller Hopes Summit Renewed Trust Between House And Senate Dems

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), a participant in yesterday's health care summit, and a long-time advocate of reform, believes the Republicans' stubborn performance was enough to unite feuding House Democrats and Senate Democrats. The two camps are suffering from a crisis of trust after a contentious year--a schism that will have to be bridged if health care is to pass.

Last night, after a late vote, I caught Rockefeller in the hallway just off the Senate floor and asked him how Democrats plan to come together in the wake of the summit. "Well, to be honest with you, I think today as we all sat and watched what unfolded, I think that there was a feeling that there was more of a bonding between House and Senate Democrats and that the Republicans acted so irresponsibly, it was stunning actually," Rockefeller said.

House Democrats say they can't pass the Senate health care bill unless it's first amended by a separate bill, which would likely be passed using the majority-vote budget reconciliation process. Some Senate Democrats, though, say that may be procedurally impossible, and are hoping the House will find it in itself to make the first move.

"It was amazing," Rockefeller said. "And therefore the chances of them passing the Senate bill maybe got better today."

That may be wishful thinking, though. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)--who also attended the summit--told reporters it's hard to gauge what effect the summit will have on House/Senate relations. "I don't know enough to make a judgment like that," he told reporters last night. And the only people who do know for sure are House Democrats.