Reid Hopes to Decide Next Week on Reconciliation

POLITICO reports that Democrats discussed Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) ability to gather 51 votes for a health reform reconciliation bill at a White House meeting yesterday.

He hopes to make a decision by next week.

But a Democratic source familiar with the meeting said there was quite a bit of discussion about reform, largely running over well-worn ground. Specifically, Democratic leaders and the president discussed whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can wrangle 51 votes for a reconciliation bill — a decision he hopes to make next week. Pelosi expressed frustration with the pace of progress and the president’s decision not to weigh in publicly on a way forward, according to the source.

As has been widely discussed, a prominent strategy for passing health reform legislation is to have the House pass the Senate health bill which could then be modified with changes in a separate measure passed by reconciliation.

(credit image – associated press)