Senate parliamentarian says Democrats can use reconciliation to pass more bills

Senate parliamentarian says Democrats can use reconciliation to pass more bills

Via Reuters:

The U.S. Senate parliamentarian ruled on Monday that Democrats may use a procedural tool known as reconciliation to pass more legislation this year, a spokesman for Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, which could clear the way for passage of an infrastructure bill without Republican support.

Spokesman Justin Goodman said that Democrats had not decided whether to use reconciliation, which they employed to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill last month without Republican votes.

But Monday’s ruling by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough means they can do so with just a simple majority in the Senate, by treating the measure as a revision of budget legislation. Doing so would bypass a potential Republican filibuster, in which legislation would need 60 votes to pass.

The Senate is currently divided 50-50 between the Democratic and Republican caucuses, but Democrats have control of the chamber because Vice President Kamala Harris can break a tie.

“The Parliamentarian’s opinion is an important step forward that this key pathway is available to Democrats if needed,” Goodman said.

Biden last week proposed a $2 trillion infrastructure plan, which Republicans have said they would oppose.

Biden has said he wants to negotiate the measure with lawmakers from both parties. But he would be willing to push through the infrastructure bill without the support of Republican lawmakers in the absence of a bipartisan agreement, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Sunday.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said last week that Biden’s plan would raise taxes and increase debt, and he vowed to fight it “every step of the way.”

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, chairman of the chamber’s Finance Committee, said he was pleased by the parliamentarian’s ruling.

“The American people want bold action to address our country’s many challenges, and Democrats now have more options to overcome Republican obstruction and get things done,” he said.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has held the postion since 2012, when she was appointed by then Majority leader Harry Reid.

Our Readers And Listeners Keep Us In Print & On The Air!

Click here to subscribe to The CRUSADE Channel’s Founders Pass Member Service & Gain 24/7 Access to Our Premium, New Talk Radio Service. www.crusadechannel.com/go

What Is The Crusade Channel?

The CRUSADE Channel, The Last LIVE! Radio Station Standing begins our LIVE programming with our all original CRUSADE Channel News hosted by Ron Staffard. Coupled with Mike “The King Dude” Church entertaining you during your morning drive and Rick Barrett giving you the news of the day and the narrative that will follow during your lunch break!

We’ve interviewed over 300 guests, seen Brother Andre Marie notch his 200th broadcast of Reconquest; The Mike Church Show over 1200 episodes; launched an original LIVE! News Service; written and produced 4 Feature Length original dramas including The Last Confession of Sherlock Holmes and set sail on the coolest radio product ever, the 5 Minute Mysteries series! We were the ONLY RADIO outlet to cover the Impeachment Trials of President Trump from gavel to gavel!

Now that you have discovered The Crusade, get30 days for FREE of our premium News-Talk Radio service just head to:

https://crusadechannel.com OR download our FREE app: https://apps.appmachine.com/theveritasradionetworkappIti-