Progressives push for controversial budget reconciliation proposal

Progressive Democrats are pushing a plan to ignore the Senate MP if she decides policies such as raising the minimum wage cannot be included in a budget reconciliation package.

Budget reconciliation allows legislation to pass through the Senate on a majority vote, and it cannot be obstructed.

As a result, Democrats looked at the budget process to get key things like a minimum wage of $ 15 an hour in President Biden’s office. Using this process would prevent Republicans from blocking a bill by ensuring it could pass with 50 Democratic votes in the Senate and Vice President Harris would break the tie.

The problem is another Senate requirement known as Byrd’s Rule that requires policies like a minimum wage hike meet certain requirements to qualify under the budget reconciliation.

A number of budget experts believe that an increase in the minimum wage may not meet the requirements of the Byrd rule and that the Senate parliamentarian may decide it could not be included in a reconciliation package.

It is not clear that this is the case.

Bill Dauster, who served as deputy chief of staff to the former Senate Majority Leader Harry reidHarry Mason ReidByrd Rule, policy threatens hourly minimum wage Harry Reid ‘not particularly optimistic’ Biden to push for filibuster Schumer becomes new Senate Majority Leader MORE (D-Nev.), This week posted a roll-call editorial claiming that the $ 15 minimum payroll Biden was including in his $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan had a chance of securing the parliamentarian’s seal of approval.

But if the decision goes against the Democrats, he said the party should push it through anyway.

“Ultimately, it is a call that the Constitution gives to the Vice President or, in her absence, the President pro tempore of the Senate to do,” he wrote, noting that the decisions would rest with Harris. or to Sen. Patrick leahyPatrick Joseph Leahy Paul says absence of Roberts ‘crystallized’ argument against Trump impeachment How McConnell derailed Trump impeachment trial before he started Leahy should preside over impeachment after fear of health PLUS (D-Vt.), President of the Senate pro tempore.

“If the Senate parliamentarian does not advise them that Congress can include the minimum wage in the budget reconciliation, Harris or Leahy should exercise their constitutional authority to say they can,” he wrote.

Suggestions gained momentum on the left after centrist Democrats such as Sens. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSunday Shows Sneak Peek: New COVID-19 Variants Have Spread In United States; Redditors rock Wall Street with action Gamestop Biden wants Democrats to keep Trump trial short Joe Manchin could show Senate a better way forward MORE (W.Va.) and Kirsten Sinema (Arizona) reiterated their opposition to the filibuster murder, which essentially requires major legislation to gain 60 votes to gain Senate approval.

“I think the key here is that we’re going to keep all of the tools in the toolkit available,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus chair. Pramila JayapalPramila Jayapal Lawmakers grill NSA over years-old breach following massive Russian hack Former GOP leader in House: Fear of telling voters the ‘truth’ drove Democrats to riot on Capitol Hill ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 PLUS relief bill (D-Wash.) Said when asked about the approach, adding that she had been in contact with colleagues in the Senate about the possibility.

representative Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaDemocrat Calls For Hearings To Deport Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene Lawmakers Tear Up Robinhood Decision On GameStop Robinhood Faces Backlash From Both Parties For Limiting Talks READ MORE (D-Calif.), Close ally of the new chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Bernie sandersBernie SandersSunday Shows Sneak Peek: New Variants Of COVID-19 Have Spread In United States; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Inauguration Meme Sanders Baseball Card Breaks Fauci Sales Record Bernie Sanders Applauds Billionaire’s Critics: “ Cry me a river ” MORE (I-Vt.), Said Democrats should think big in terms of what reconciliation can be.

“Personally, I think we should get rid of the filibuster, but at the very least we should broaden the reconciliation to apply to a lot more perspectives,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

Sanders, who will oversee the reconciliation process and has expressed skepticism about removing the filibuster, has not expressed an opinion on circumventing a parliamentary decision. He argues that increasing the minimum wage would not violate the Byrd rule.

Democrats used a budget reconciliation program in 2010 to advance the affordable care law, while Republicans used it in 2003 and 2017 to cut taxes.

In each case, the Byrd rule significantly affected the final legislation.

For example, elements of the Bush and Trump tax cuts had a 10-year expiration in order to comply with the deficit requirements of Byrd’s Rule. Republican attempts to overthrow Obamacare, which ultimately failed, were limited by Byrd’s rule compliant provisions.

Ignoring Byrd would create a fight with Republicans in the Senate as Biden talks about working with the minority party to push the legislation forward.

GOP senators warn this could set Biden a negative tone, especially with a battle dividing Trump’s second impeachment trial slated for February.

“I think we have to be careful not to start in a very partisan way, because between impeachment and a reconciliation bill, especially one where we ignore the rules of reconciliation, which people talk about, I think you set a really bad tone, at least for months and maybe for the first term, at least the first two years, ”Sen said. Rob portmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSunday Shows Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Have Spread In The United States; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Action The Hill’s Morning Report – Featured By Facebook – Which Way Will Democrats Take On COVID-19 Bill? Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 PLUS relief bill (Ohio), a retired Republican engaged in negotiations over the COVID-19 bill, said in an interview with NPR.

Democrats say they are just keeping their options open.

“We must be ready”, President Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiFBI: Woman arrested in the Capitol riot reportedly said she wanted to shoot Pelosi ‘in the brain’ friggin ‘Trump knew what was going to happen on January 6? Marjorie Taylor Greene touts Trump’s call amid mounting backlash (D-Calif.) Said Thursday that he launched the budget reconciliation bill.

The White House has made it clear that it is very open to using the budget reconciliation to prevent the filibuster from blocking aid for COVID-19.

“Our priority is to make it succeed and not to know what the parliamentary process is”, spokesman for the White House. Jen psakiJen PsakiMenendez calls for sanction against Russia after Navalny Biden protests signs executive orders at breakneck pace Biden, Yellen calls for swift action on coronavirus relief program MORE said Friday, when asked about the possibility of circumventing the usual reconciliation rules.

Many Democrats are open to the use of reconciliation, but ignoring the parliamentarian on the Byrd rule would be more controversial.

“I hope it doesn’t happen to that,” Sen said. Dick durbinDemocrats weigh in on lower court expansion after Trump Biden blitz reignites congressional immigration fight Biden immigration plans hit early MORE (Ill.), Democrat No. 2 in the Senate. Democrats, he said, should ensure that any policy in a reconciliation bill can survive a challenge to Byrd’s rule, but hinted at some flexibility in approach.

“In the past, Republicans have changed some of the reconciliation rules to reflect their legislative efforts,” he said.

Chairman of the House Budget Committee John yarmuthJohn Allen YarmuthByrd Rule, Policy Threatens # 2 Hourly Minimum Wage Senate Democrat Says Minimum Wage Can Be Raised With Simple Majority Vote Biden’s bipartisan push hits wall on COVID relief bill -19 MORE (D-Ky.) Said the move could open a box of worms Democrats would live in regret.

“I’m not sure it’s the smartest thing to do,” Yarmuth told Politico.

If Democrats impose a minimum wage hike or decide to use the same process to pass voting rights legislation, health care reform, or environmental policy, Republicans could take the same approach when they are in office. power.

“You have to worry about the precedents,” Yarmuth said.

Jordain Carney contributed.