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"There's a sense of urgency among Democrats that the health care bill has to be completed before the end of this month," former Senate leader Tom Daschle told the Financial Times. That would, insiders say, prevent a repeat of the August recess, when lawmakers went home and got an earful from angry town hall participants.
But meeting that deadline could prove challenging. First, health care reform has already blown through all the deadlines President Barack Obama set for it. Originally he wanted a bill on his desk last summer. Then he wanted it before the November elections. Then before Christmas.
What's more, Democratic lawmakers are almost certain to try to use "reconciliation" -- a parliamentary device that blocks the minority's ability to filibuster a bill -- to get health care reform over the finish line. Trouble is, that can be a complicated and time-consuming process. And Congress has less than 23 days to get it done.
But, according to a 2008 Congressional Research Service report, of the 22 reconciliation bills Congress embarked on since 1981, only four made it from start to finish in less than 30 days. On average, it took 2½ months. And none of these bills was nearly as complex or as fraught with political landmines and fierce opposition as the health care reconciliation effort will be.
At a news conference last year, Obama said, "If you don't set deadlines in this town, nothing gets done." He'll soon find out whether setting them makes any difference, either.
Source: Congressional Research Service
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