Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke out on Monday to say that if Democrats get control of both chambers of Congress next year, they plan to fast-track legislation that aims to strengthen ObamaCare and provide coronavirus relief.
In order to make this happen, Democrats would lean on a special budget procedure called a reconciliation, which allows the majority party in the Senate to move legislation with just a simple majority in a move that would erase the minority party’s filibuster powers.
Democrats have spent months promising to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and give more aid to the health and economic aspects of the coronavirus, and Pelosi said on Monday that they can do both through a reconciliation.
“It is a budget bill, it is consistent with the rules of the House and the Senate that you can pass a bill under reconciliation,” she said while speaking at a health care forum with Protect Our Care, a liberal advocacy group.
“And we most certainly will be passing a reconciliation bill, not only for the Affordable Care Act, but for what we may want to do further on the pandemic, and some other issues that relate to the well-being of the American people,” she added, according to The Hill.
Over the past few weeks, negotiations between Pelosi and the White House over COVID-19 relief have completely broken down. However, she said that more help will be needed next year, especially if a breakthrough comes in terms of a vaccine, as funding will be needed for distribution that is both quick and affordable.
“It is a life and death election,” Pelosi said. “Everyone’s health is on the line.”
Even if Democrats win the control of the White House and both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, their majority would be razor thin in the Senate and far shorter than the 60 seats they would need to sidestep the filibusters the minority Republicans are sure to employ. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Republican leader, would then have the power to stop most bills passed by Pelosi and her fellow House Democrats before they even reach the desk of Joe Biden, should he win the presidency.
This just serves as a reminder that the stakes of an election have never been higher. If Democrats win the White House and both chambers of Congress, Lord help us all.
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