I don’t remember a more vivid case of tricky legislating than the attempt to shove Obamacare down the collective throat. And here’s the latest example. The Senate version of Obamacare is actually an unrelated House Bill that has already passed the Lower Chamber. From the Bill:
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes…AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE intended to be proposed by Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. DODD, and Mr. HARKIN) Viz: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following [2076 pages]
Why do this? By gutting the passed bill and substituting the Obamacare plan, it could avoid the necessity for a conference committee. If the bill passed, it would go back to the House, and if it passed without amendment, there would be no need for a conference committee. It’s a vehicle to allow a fast track to passage.
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