Plans Slaughtered

The Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that President Obama must sign Congress’ original health care reform bill before the Senate can act on a companion reconciliation package. This precludes Slaughter's nutty rule change idea (see yesterday's post) as well as any meaningful reconcilation that would bring the Stupak 12 on board. Of course, now, Democrats are claiming they will go forward without the Stupak group. They are saying they will "call Stupak's bluff." How, exactly is that? They need those votes. Period. Stupak and company have been firm in their stance. This is not going to happen. They simply do not have the votes. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100311/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul