Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Justin Duckham

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) does not appear to be moved by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman’s (D-Calif.) proposal to bypass his Committee’s process in order to bring health care reform legislation to the House floor sooner.

“I have said from day one that I would love to see us follow regular order,” Clyburn said during a press conference Friday, referencing the jurisdiction Waxman’s committee would typically have in the legislation’s formation. “I want us to follow the regular order and I am hoping that is what we will do here. I always advocate and support the regular order.”

Waxman posed the possibility Friday morning in response to continuing disagreements between his Committee’s fiscally conscious Blue Dog Democrats and other Democratic members of the Committee. According to Waxman, the Blue Dogs threatened to side with the Republican members, thus putting the Committee in minority control.

In recent weeks pro-life, blue dog, and progressive Democrats have threatened to oppose the Affordable Health Choices Act if it does not meet their respective requirements. Clyburn, who will ultimately be responsible for rallying the votes, dismissed his party’s infighting, noting that he expected passing health care reform to be “tough”.

“I recognize that we have seven distinct caucuses,” said Clyburn. “We will have these kind of passions being on display on a daily basis.”

While Clyburn could not say when the bill would be brought to the floor, he did stress his desire to see widespread support for the final draft of the bill.

“If we had the votes to pass this bill on Monday morning without consensus, I would much rather wait till the following Monday if I could yield consensus in the process.”