Legal Commentary

Coming Soon? The Ping Pong Nuclear Option

By Big Tent Democrat

As lilburro points out, the new Dem strategem of ping ponging the health bill makes a mockery of the fear of reconciliation as a "nuclear option" politically (see Nate Silver's argument on that point.) Coming soon from the mouths of Republicans near you, ping pong as the new "nuclear option." Jon Cohn writes:

According to a pair of senior Capitol Hill staffers, one from each chamber, House and Senate Democrats are “almost certain” to negotiate informally rather than convene a formal conference committee. [. . .] Whatever form the final discussions take place, a decision to bypass conference would undoubtedly expedite the debate, clearing the way for final passage (if not signing) by the end of January. And, as long as both chambers still get their say, that's a good thing.

I will wait for a procedural expert (Kagro's explanation seems full of holes to me, though this one is better, but still I have questions) to explain how ping ponging will "expedite" the process (my understanding is that actually conference reports are not subject to amendment and only require one cloture vote - a non conference bill would seem to have MORE, not less, procedural hurdles), but I know one thing for sure, ping pong will be the NEW "nuclear option."

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 04, 2010 (boomark / email).