Highs and Lows
Today the “ other shoe” dropped on the Graham-Cassidy “Health Care Plan.” Susan Collins, Republican Senator from Maine has determined that she cannot vote for a bill that wipes out insurance for millions. This, along with John McCain’s and Rand Paul’s ‘no’ vote, means that the Republicans cannot pass the legislation through the Senate.
Most bills in the Senate require a majority fifty-one votes for passage (or fifty with the tie-breaking vote of the Vice President.) But before a bill gets a final vote, Senate rules allow unlimited debate. To oppose a bill, unlimited debate can expand to a full-blown filibuster, and prevent the Senate from continuing any business. The Senate has found a “civilized” way out of this work stoppage. It takes sixty votes to stop the debate, so they take a vote at the beginning of debate to see if there are enough to stop it. If there is, then debate limits are set, and a vote is scheduled. If there aren’t, then that piece of legislation fails there, without filibuster and the “Mr. Smith goes to Washington” drama.
There are a couple of exceptions to the “sixty vote” (cloture) rule. Nominations to the US Supreme Court, and certain bills relating to taxes are a straight majority vote. This is how Justice Neil Gorsuch received his appointment, and, for the next four days, it is how that Graham-Cassidy (as a “tax” bill) could pass. That bill’s status as a “fifty vote” bill expires on September 30th. If there’s not fifty votes, then the issue is dead. Likely Graham-Cassidy will never be called to the floor for a vote.
It’s a good day for the Affordable Care Act, and for America. When the dust settles, it will be up to the Senate Democrats and Republicans to return to the table, to negotiate a way to fix, improve and make the ACA work. I hope our legislators can hammer their swords into plowshares for at least this important American question.
On a much more personal note it’s also been a day of highs and lows. On the low side, a friend got sick last week, went to the hospital, and is now home with a terminal diagnosis. There is little to do but be a friend and help. When we get so upset, depressed, and angry with what is going on from Russia, to the NFL, to healthcare, to the arrogance of the Trump Administration; it is important to remember that change can happen fast, and life can be altered.
To end on a high note, a different friend officially adopted his son today, and honored us by an invitation to the Courtroom for the final adjudication. He has been the boy’s father for three and a half of his four-year life, and the father/son bond between them is clear to all. Now it is official, and the joy in the face of the father (and the pride of the young son in his “official” last name) shines out.
Hug the ones you love.
