Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters Thursday that the Senate could couple a student loan bill with health care reform legislation and pass both by reconciliation.

“We are entitled to do both health care and education by reconciliation,” Reid said. “But ... I want the [Democratic] caucus to make that decision. I don’t want to do it on an arbitrary basis.”

The student loan reform bill, pushed by House Education Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), would limit the authority that banks have over student loans.

Reid declined to speculate whether members of the lower chamber were concerned that the Senate would not act on a reconciliation package if members were to approve the Senate’s unpopular health care legislation.

“I have a lot of difficulties doing what I can to maintain the Senate as an orderly body. I am not going to get into the House and how they are going to vote,” said Reid.