Democratic senators vow to vote ‘no’ on all amendments to party’s climate, tax, health bill

[mystery-ak]

 Democratic senators vow to vote ‘no’ on all amendments to party’s climate, tax, health bill
by Caroline Vakil - 08/06/22 3:20 PM ET



Several Democratic senators are saying they will vote “no” on any amendments introduced during a Senate vote-a-rama session in an effort to keep the party’s major climate, tax and health bill on course to pass.

“We have a deal to take the biggest climate action in U.S. history. Every Senate Dem has agreed to it. I can think of lots of ways to strengthen it, but I won’t derail this bill by supporting changes. I will vote NO on all amendments – even for stuff I like. Let’s finish the job,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) tweeted.

“I agree with Brian. I’ll be voting NO on all amendments — regardless of policy,” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said, quote-tweeting Schatz. “Let’s stay united and get this historic bill done.”

The Senate convened on Saturday around noon as the upper chamber prepares to take up a major piece of legislation for Democrats on climate, health and tax reform.

It comes more than a week after Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said they had reached a deal on a package including several Democratic priorities after Manchin had earlier suggested a deal could not be reached because of data showing inflation had risen more than 9 percent annually.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), seen as the other key centrist in addition to Manchin that Democrats needed to win over for the bill, signaled on Friday she would support it after reaching her own deal with Schumer on aspects of the package.

Senate Democrats are using a process known as budget reconciliation that requires only a simple majority to pass the legislation. Democrats need all 50 of their members plus a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Harris to pass it.

But before it can be brought to the floor to be voted on, senators will have to endure a voting session where amendments can be introduced by senators to be added into the bill. The session could last for hours.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, said that “it’ll be like hell.”

Other Senate Democrats also said they would be voting against any amendments introduced, even if they agreed with them, in an effort to protect the package.

“We have much more to do to meet our climate and equity commitments, but after a yearlong fight, we have a deal that has 50 votes and makes historic investments. This weekend, I will vote accordingly to protect that deal, which means voting no on amendments, even ones I support,” Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tweeted.

“I agree with Brian. I’ll vote NO on all amendments, even those I agree with. This bill makes historic progress on climate action and lowering prescription drug costs. It has 50 votes, and we need to stick together to keep it that way,” Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3591117-democratic-senators-vow-to-vote-no-on-all-amendments-to-partys-climate-tax-health-bill/

[Hoodat]

It won't be the substance of amendments that will matter to the GOP.  It will be the length of time needed to read each one on the Senate floor.

Cue up Rand Paul with his Atlas Shrugged amendment.

[libertybele]

Any bets??  I'm betting that the usual suspects will cave.

Senate set to consider Democrats’ social spending and tax bill: LIVE UPDATES

Thune expects absent GOP senators to return for vote-a-rama, final vote

Senate Minority Whip John Thune said he expects all Republican senators to be present for the start of the Senate's vote-a-rama, despite several absences at votes earlier Saturday, Fox News' Kelly Phares reports.

"I think everybody's in various stages of getting here," Thune, R-S.D., said.

Republicans will likely need all, or nearly all, of their members present for a vote-a-rama if they hope to change the bill in any way.

Thune also said he hopes Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., will vote against any amendment to wipe out changes made to the bill during a vote-a-rama. Such a provision is called a wrap-around amendment.

"I would hope they would if there is one, and if the bill would change in the amendment process, they have indicated -- Manchin's been publilc about this in the past that he won't vote for a wraparound amendment," Thune said.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., did not commit to voting for a wrap-around amendment, or against GOP amendments, when asked by Fox News Digital.............

https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/senate-set-for-vote-a-rama-on-democrats-social-spending-and-tax-bill-live-updates

[Hoodat]

Thune expects absent GOP senators to return for vote-a-rama, final vote

Good grief, people.  It isn't the 'vote-a-rama' that matters.  It is the 'read-a-rama' that will kill this bill.  Of course that means that Republican Senators may have to work Fridays for the remainder of the year.  And this may be a price they are not willing to pay.

[Killer Clouds]

There's nothing democratic about DEMOCRATS.

[mystery-ak]

Dems will need Vice President Harris to break tie on vote to start debate on social spending bill

Democrats will need Vice President Harris to break a 50-50 tie on a motion to start debate on their social spending and taxation bill, after all 50 Republicans voted in the negative Saturday afternoon.

It was not clear whether Harris would be needed for the vote to stat debate, called a motion to proceed, earlier Saturday. That's because many Republicans were absent.

But all 50 made it back to Washington, D.C., in time for the vote, meaning Democrats will need Harris to break a tie.
Posted by Tyler Olson

[Hoodat]

Sounds to me like the measure failed.

[libertybele]

Vote to move ahead with Dems' social spending bill passes, with VP Harris breaking tie

A vote to move ahead on Democrats' social spending and taxation bill passed Saturday evening, setting up floor debate followed by a marathon vote-a-rama, before a final vote on the legislation that's expected sometime Sunday.

The vote total was 51-50, with Vice President Harris breaking a tie.

It was not expected that Harris would be needed, because several Republicans were out of town and missed votes that happened earliler Saturday. But all of the GOP members made it back to town by the end of the Saturday evening vote.

The procedural vote shows that Democrats have all 50 of their members on board with the legislation. Barring any surprises in the vote-a-rama, or unexpected health issues, that means Democrats will be able to pass the bill, with Vice President Harris breaking any potential 50-50 ties.

The vote is also a victory for Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who championed the legislation after announcing it last week.

[libertybele]

Sounds to me like the measure failed.

Nope.  It freakin' passed.  Americans are screwed yet again!! 

[libertybele]

Kelly Phares
@kellyfphares
.@VP
 leaving the Capitol after breaking tie to start debate on #IRA: “this legislation is long overdue and it's critically important. It's going to lower costs for Americans.”

[Kamaji]

Kelly Phares
@kellyfphares
.@VP
 leaving the Capitol after breaking tie to start debate on #IRA: “this legislation is long overdue and it's critically important. It's going to lower costs for Americans.”

Bald-faced lies