Reconciliation Redefined Jack Kemp Why aren’t the anti-abortion Democrats in the House, lead by Congressman Stupak, willing to vote TODAY for the exact Senate healthcare bill passed in December and accepting promises of “reconciliation” and the removal of Federal funding of abortions by a joint conference later? One vocal Democrat has stated that the bill may languish after the House passes it. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/07/trust-gap-house-senate-dems-hurting-health-care-push/ ‘Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., told CBS News last week that the Senate "has been the single problem" with getting the bill out of the House. He referenced the hundreds of bills that have languished in the Senate after passing the House.‘ END OF QUOTE But there is a diametrically opposite possible scenario that could be played out. Rush Limbaugh has commented on this, but here is my take on it. In anticipation of Reconciliation, under the Stimulus Plan, the Federal government could paint a "Reconciliation Lane" on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington running ONE WAY from the US Capitol to the White House parking lot. This would aid in quick delivery of the bill to President Obama's desk. Once the House passes the identical Senate healthcare bill, President Obama could send six armed Federal agents to office of Speaker Pelosi, informing her that the US has a “healthcare crisis” and that the bill needs to be transported to the President’s desk right away – for signing. This can be done with or without an accompanying Executive Order. Speaker Pelosi has voiced similar sentiments for the immediate need for a healthcare bill many times before and would not be likely to argue with the Federal agents essentially giving her what she wants. Even I could write the press conference explanation for her. It would go something like this: “When the President summons you to the White House, you go – especially if he says we have a national health care emergency – who am I to disagree? So I got in the van and delivered the now passed healthcare bill to the President. I believe he may sign it into law this evening at nine p.m. – or he just may televise the fact that he already signed it into law at noontime, minutes after I left the Oval Office. We can always reconcile this bill later this year. Or we could do so after we win a greater majority over the Republicans and seat our newly elected Congress early next year (I said this is written in the voice of Speaker Pelosi, not mine). The President then thanked me (and the six armed Federal agents) for delivering the signed bill to his desk. And more jobs will be created as we remove the painted Reconciliation Lane from Pennsylvania Avenue.” So what could Congressman Stupak and his Democrat anti-abortion allies then do? Change their party affiliation? Join the Tea Party movement? Not likely, but even if they did, I understand the Democratic leadership is already privately reconciled to losing a large number of House seats in the November 2010 elections. Congressman Stupak is knowledgeable in the ways of Washington. He understands the risks involved in the House now passing the identical Senate healthcare bill that includes Federal funding for abortions. There are, obviously, a large number of other Washington Democrats who would praise such a bill, wanting to rush it into law as the culmination of a sixty year dream. If they are willing to ride roughshod over public opinion, would they hesitate to do the same to a few recalcitrant Democrats? “Reconciliation” could then gain a new definition, meaning that Congressman Stupak and his allies would have to be “reconciled” to accepting Federal funding for abortion as a fait accompli. What will be the final outcome of the March healthcare bill vote in the House? In my opinion, it is too close to call and the vote could go either way. With this bill, there is never a dull, non-crisis moment. (You can comment on this and other articles at our Discussion Forum)