Opinion: What’s next with healthcare? A handy legislative guide explains the steps
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The arguments for and against the healthcare legislation pending in the House and Senate are well known. But what about the process that is sure to captivate Washington for many weeks to come?
It may sound wonky, but understanding the process is key to following the events about to unfold in the Capitol. We were reminded of this basic fact recently when Noam Levey, one of our colleagues in Washington, produced a handy guide to what was headlined “The long road ahead.” Long, indeed.
Now that the Senate has voted (60 to 39) to begin debate on its version of healthcare legislation, here are the likely next steps in the Senate. Levey’s guide is more readable and useful than your old text from Civics 101. You might want to bookmark this one:
AMENDMENTS
Once debate begins on Senate bill, lawmakers from both parties will be allowed to offer amendments
When expected: Starting Nov. 30 through Christmas or beyond
Votes required: Subject to negotiation, with 60 likely for more contentious amendments
CLOTURE TO END DEBATE ON THE BILL
Required to end a Republican filibuster and move to a vote on the bill
When expected: Just before Christmas, though possibly later
Votes required: 60
ADOPTION OF THE BILL
Would send the Senate bill to a conference committee, where it would be reconciled with the House healthcare bill that passed Nov. 7.
When expected: Just before Christmas, though possibly later
Votes required: 51
CLOTURE TO END DEBATE ON CONFERENCE REPORT
Would end GOP filibuster of the conference report that combines the House and Senate healthcare bills
When expected: Sometime in January
Votes required: 60
FINAL PASSAGE
Assuming House approval, would send the legislation to President Obama for his signature
When expected: Sometime in January
Votes required: 51
-- Steve Padilla
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Top photo credit: AFP/Getty Images. Bottom photo credit: Reuters.
