The Democrat’s plan to pass health care without voting on it is quickly becoming a load-bearing decision, with Pelosi and team being “accused of resorting to legislative trickery to send a bill to President Obama’s desk.” From FOX:
[E]ven with assurances that the package of changes will be considered, many House Democrats don’t want to go on record in support of the Senate bill — what with its sweetheart deals, tax on high-value insurance plans and other controversial provisions.
Enter the Pelosi tactic, known as a “self-executing rule.”
Under this tactic, the House could simultaneously approve the Senate version of the bill while voting on the package of changes. This would “deem” the Senate bill passed, though not directly show members voting in favor of passage.
Pelosi reportedly told liberal bloggers Monday that “nobody wants to vote for the Senate bill,” and so she’s strongly considering the non-vote vote.
“I like it, because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill,” she said.
Republicans are dubious.
“That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for a plan that will remake one-sixth of the American economy,” Boehner’s office said.