As the title says, dems have decided to add reconciliation instructions to their budget resolution. That is a sharp turn around from couple of days ago when kent Konrad said they wouldn't be putting those instructions in there which would mean ALL their bills this year would be left to the mercy of likes of Joe liberman and Olympia snow. This development is excellent news for progressives (been short on those lately).
The dems didn't choose to unilaterally disarm before the fight begins (this time).Now we have the weapon. Time to use it wisely and for big things.
think jobs package
Think cap and trade (and yes that can easily pass reconciliation since it is essentially a carbon tax)
and even adding and improving the HC bill that just passed.
Basically depending on the final language of the instruction "right now" anything that would decrease the deficit.
http://thehill.com/...
Senate Democrats have written their budget resolution so they can pass jobs legislation using reconciliation, the controversial process used last month to move healthcare reform.
The resolution does not specify what specific jobs measures could be covered, and does not explicitly allow for the use of reconciliation rules to pass energy legislation or the extension of George W. Bush-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and a number of other Democrats on Tuesday, however, said the fast-track process could be used to move tax cuts, energy legislation and more later this year.
"There are many different areas it could be used," Cardin said.
Lets keep the bush tax cut bullshit away from this bill and push for adding progressive items (that affect the budget: like a PO, jobs bill, climate change bill) in there.
Obama is a centrist and so are many of the dems, so putting good progressives items in this reconciliation bill will need serious progressive/netroot push/organization.
I like what I am seeing with financial reform fight and now this. Keep it up dems (and choose a LIBERAL nominee for SC Obama).
Adios