By Laurel Brishel Prichard-University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that it is possible for Senate Democrats to pass health care reform legislation even if Republican senatorial candidate Scott Brown wins the seat once held by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.).
When presented with the notion during his weekly press briefing, the Majority Leader simply responded "yes" and declined to elaborate.
The election of Brown would deny Democrats the 60-vote majority needed for cloture, which if denied could effectively stall the bill indefinitely.
The Massachusetts state legislature could stall swearing in the new senator for up to 15 days, which would provide Democrats with a brief window to pass health care reform with interim Senator Paul Kirk (D-Mass.) still in office.
The polls close in Massachusetts at 8 pm Tuesday evening.
Hoyer also used his briefing to touch upon the crisis in Haiti.
“We are all struck by the extraordinary tragedy,”said Hoyer, who added that there will be legislation to provide additional assistance and resources to the Haitian people in the coming week.
Health Care Reform Can Pass Despite Brown Victory, Says House Majority Leader
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that it is possible for Senate Democrats to pass health care reform legislation even if Republican senatorial candidate Scott Brown wins the seat once held by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.).
When presented with the notion during his weekly press briefing, the Majority Leader simply responded "yes" and declined to elaborate.
The election of Brown would deny Democrats the 60-vote majority needed for cloture, which if denied could effectively stall the bill indefinitely.
The Massachusetts state legislature could stall swearing in the new senator for up to 15 days, which would provide Democrats with a brief window to pass health care reform with interim Senator Paul Kirk (D-Mass.) still in office.
The polls close in Massachusetts at 8 pm Tuesday evening.
Hoyer also used his briefing to touch upon the crisis in Haiti.
“We are all struck by the extraordinary tragedy,”said Hoyer, who added that there will be legislation to provide additional assistance and resources to the Haitian people in the coming week.