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March 16, 2010

House Might Pass Healthcare Bill Without Direct Vote
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On Capitol Hill, the Democratic leadership is moving forward plans to
pass the healthcare reform package later this week. House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi suggested Monday that she might attempt to use a special
legislative procedure to avoid a direct House vote in order to pass the
less popular Senate version of the healthcare bill. The tactic, known as
“a self-executing rule,” would have Congress members vote on a package
of changes to the Senate version. Approving those changes would in turn
be deemed an endorsement of the initial Senate measure they’d be
modifying. Republicans have criticized the proposal, calling it a way
for Democrats to avoid an up-or-down vote.



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