Dakota Beacon

Yesterday, Politico reported that Senator Kent Conrad has now stated that the House must first pass the Senate version of Government-Run Healthcare before the budget reconciliation process can be used.

"I don't know of any way, I don't know of any way where you can have a reconciliation bill pass before the bill that it is meant to reconcile passes," said Conrad, who would be a central figure on the Senate floor if Democrats embark on the complicated process. "I don't know how you would deal with the scoring. I don't know how I could look you in the eye and say this package reduces the deficit. It's kind of got the cart before the horse."

When reminded that House Democrats don't want to do health care in that order, Conrad said bluntly: "Fine, then it's dead."

Click here to review the previous developments in this saga. 

Click here to view the video.

On Monday, NDTA issued a challenge to Senators Dorgan and Conrad.

Last week, Congressman Pomeroy was quoted by CNN as saying the use of budget reconciliation for the healthcare issue would be "legislative trickery."

Dakotans deserve to know whether their Senators support the use of what Congressman Pomeroy called legislative trickery.

It really should not be too hard for Senators Conrad and Dorgan to reject the use of what Congressman Pomeroy calls "legislative trickery."

Unless, of course, they support the use of trickery to get ObamaCare passed.

Dustin Gawrylow, Executive Director

North Dakota Taxpayers' Association

 Office Phone: (701) 751-2530