Wyden Statement on Latest Parliamentarian Guidance
Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the Senate Parliamentarian advised that additional Finance provisions of the Republican reconciliation bill violate the Senate’s Byrd Rule and would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if included in the bill.
“The latest guidance from the Senate Parliamentarian shows that Republican attempts to give away goodies that benefit certain states will not pass muster under Senate rules,” Wyden said. “Senate Democrats have also successfully challenged a giveaway to Big Pharma, as well as policies that make it harder for seniors and kids to get affordable health care through Medicaid. Republicans wanted to bring back the health care tactics of yesteryear, like waiting periods, lock-outs and annual limits on care, but Democrats have wrestled these out of the bill. I am disappointed that the Republican rewrite of the provider tax changes will remain in the bill: this policy will force states into devastating cuts to health care that seniors, kids and Americans with disabilities depend on. We will continue to fight any attempt to sneak through harmful health care policies in this morally bankrupt legislation.”
More information from the Senate Budget Committee Democrats can be found here.
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