Congress: Timelines and calendars

Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:14 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

"Even though he doesn’t yet have an official cost estimate or promises of a filibuster-proof vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is confident he’ll be able to kick off debate on a massive health care reform measure before Thanksgiving,” Roll Call writes. “Reid wanted to get the ball rolling on the overhaul early this week armed with a Congressional Budget Office analysis, but because that CBO score didn’t come on Friday as he had hoped, Democratic aides said the Majority Leader is prepared to push back his timeline. Reid may keep the Senate in session into the week of Thanksgiving in order to overcome one of the biggest hurdles facing the bill: producing the 60 votes needed to beat back a GOP filibuster that would prevent the bill from even being considered on the Senate floor.”

Congressional lobbyist Billy Moore takes a smart look at the remaining calendar for Congress. “Congress has 26 legislative days remaining in 2009, if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid conducts votes every day until Thanksgiving eve. Congress has 21 days if they take Thanksgiving week off. In that time, Democratic leaders want floor debates on health care reform, financial services regulatory overhaul, seven appropriations bills, extension of expiring tax and transportation programs, inheritance tax reform, a debt limit increase (perhaps with a deficit commission), postponing a cut in Medicare physician fees and confirmation of dozens of Administration and judicial nominees. As the calendar ticks toward Christmas, some of the agenda will be pushed to the 2010 program, joining deferred initiatives on immigration, energy and global warming.”

This is interesting: “Even as drug makers promise to support Washington’s health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation’s drug costs after the legislation takes effect, the industry has been raising its prices at the fastest rate in years,” the New York Times front-pages.

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Comments

Congress needs to focus on getting HCR done. Baucus delayed this effort and ended up with the same Finance Committee bill he had prior to the August recess. Debates on energy, immigration, regulatory reform can slide into 2010 if necessary. The appropriations bills are important. Getting HCR done removes the most difficult and controversial legislation from the books and allows Congress, the President, the People and the Media to move forward.

Figures that big Pharma would become greedy on the backs of the American people. It's like the banks moving to increase interest rates and add fees before the credit care legisation becomes law. It should make everyone, regardless of party, angry that big business has no concept of doing what it is right for its fellow citizens, it only understands greedy profits.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 16, 2009 11:32 AM)

Kill the cheating and death-panelled Health Care Bill until the Repubs are back in and can get it right.

All the libs are like little spiders and you know what you do with little spiders. SQUAT!

Baby Rhino (Sent Monday, November 16, 2009 11:40 AM)

The drug companies and insurance companies are raising their rates so they can "discount" them later on. Stores who do this get in trouble for it. I wonder if there will be any reprocussions for the insurance and pharma for doing the same. If they would not pay the lobbyists they could probably drop costs by at least 20% or more in addition to other things and avoid a public option by showing their responisbility and willingness to cooperate. Unfortunately greed rules and they aren't about to willfully do it. They'll need to be forced.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, November 16, 2009 12:03 PM)

To Harry Reid -
1. When they threaten to filibuster, make them stand up with their thermos of soup and talk. Despite your protestations otherwise, you can do it.

2. Let the Democratic caucus members know that any one of them that votes with the GOP will be stripped of all committee leadership positions.

We need HCR. We can't allow a few right wing D's spoil it for the rest of us.

rick in savannah (Sent Monday, November 16, 2009 12:40 PM)

Well well what new this network of Congress folks need to pick a side now see this stalling is going to bring cost up for a good while and those with kickbacks know it. Harry Reid Sir you are a leader also it's time to tell the President that we are going with the public option and are shooting for a single tax payer system or a option to bring in a government plan by the way of Reconiliation and you have the 51 voted needed for either one . He will understand because he knows that altogether the party has reached out as far as it can go, the House leader will back you yet tell him you won't to have the plan running before the middle of 2011 and for those who can't side with them just step aside not down just keep playing politics for one day someone you know may need this option.

Ivoted (Sent Monday, November 16, 2009 12:41 PM)

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