A few days ago, I highlighted the news from Capitol Hill that the House of Representatives was considering a procedure, termed the "Slaughter Rule," that would allow the House to "deem-and-pass" the Senate version of the healthcare bill without actually voting on the Senate bill, but rather on a substitute bill. This "deem-and-pass" approach (which some are sardonically calling Demon Pass) seems on the surface unconstitutional.
Well, this just in. The House voted today on a resolution offered by Republicans to block the Slaughter Rule. Passage would essentially force the House to take the proper up-or-down vote required by the Constitution for the bill. The House defeated that resolution, 222-203.
That means, 222 members of Congress voted to approve a procedure that may very well violate the Constitution!
The final "vote" on healthcare is Sunday. If Congress wants to impose universal healthcare, then it should do so honestly. Process does matter.
A profile in courage, this is not.
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