Reconciliation Usage – Republicans 14, Democrats 5

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Reconciliation Usage – Republicans 14, Democrats 5
By: Bill Egnor Wednesday February 24, 2010

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/31490

"Originally posted at Squarestate.net"

Regardless of the fate of the Public Option, it is clear (has been clear since the Senate authorized itself to use this process way back in the winter of ’09) that reconciliation will be the only way to get anything passed in regards to health care. This is going to lead to a lot of gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair by the Republicans and will be reported by the stenographic members of the traditional media as “trick” or side stepping of the processes of the Senate.....

The Brookings Institution was kind enough to put together a list of the bills that were passed using reconciliation, you can find it here. Here is a look at the top ten Republican usages:

1981 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act: This act made major spending cuts into social programs including welfare and food stamps.

1982 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act: This act reauthorized the welfare and food stamps cuts as well as making changes to the federal pay grades.

1985 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act: This act actually did something good, it created the COBRA program. While COBRA is a often not affordable it is a good idea. And look at that, the Republicans where the ones that used reconciliation to create it.

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act: This is the act that ended welfare. Enough said.

Balanced Budget Act of 1997: This act was the first step of the Clinton Administration to balance the budget. It also included the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997: Clinton era tax cuts that were passed by the Republicans in the Senate using reconciliation.

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001: President Bush’s first round of tax cuts for the wealthy.

Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003: President Bush’s second round of tax cuts for the wealthy.

Deficit Reduction Act of 2005: Made cuts to Medicaid and Medicare spending, as well as student loan programs.

Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005: Extended Bush Administration tax cuts including cuts on capital gains. It also included a temporary alternative minimum tax fix.

As you can see Republicans have not been shy about using this method of passing bills that could not beat a 60 vote threshold. They are not even consistent in their objections about creating health care programs as both COBRA and CHIP (not to be confused with SCHIP, which is a state program and created by Democrats) were created under their use of reconciliation.

(More at link)

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The GOP has no shame!:banghead: