PrintFebruary 24, 2010
The Party of 'After You, Alphonse'
The Democrats call their opponents "the party of No", asserting their failure to accomplish Obama's key legislative initiatives is the fault of the Congressional Republican minority.
Bt it appears they are the party of "After you, Alphonse," as Senator Conrad reveals that the Congressional Democrats do not want to vote for the Senate version of the health care bill before the Senate votes for the "fixes" the House insists on. Is there no trust?
"The only way this works is for the House to pass the Senate bill and then, depending on what the package is, the reconciliation provision that moves first through the House and then comes here," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) outside the upper chamber this morning. "That's the only way that works."I pointed out that House leadership, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has repeatedly insisted they won't take a flier on a reconciliation package--that they will only pass the Senate billafter the smaller side-car reconciliation bill has been all wrapped up."Fine, then it's dead," Conrad said.Conrad added that he wouldn't personally make any promises or symbolic gestures to House members to assure them that the Senate can or will take any action in a reconciliation bill to address House concerns.
"I don't sign any blank check," Conrad said.
