Democrats Readying to Move on Comprehensive Health Care Plan

Senate Majority Whip Durbin (D-IL) said Wednesday that House and Senate were “coming to closure” on revised language for comprehensive health care legislation that most likely could muster sufficient votes to pass both chambers—most likely using expedited budget reconciliation procedures. He said that Democratic leaders expect to send legislative language by the end of the week soon to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for cost estimates. The process would be at least a two-step process with the House passing the Senate-passed bill and both chambers passing House fixes or Administration changes (amendments to the base Senate bill) as a “side-car” reconciliation bill that allows legislation to avoid filibusters and pass with a simple majority.