GOP unlikely to allow Dem amendments to repeal bill

By Greg Sargent

As I noted here yesterday, Rep. Peter Welch and other Democrats are hoping to introduce amendments to the GOP's health repeal bill that would exempt specific provisions in the Affordable Care Act from the GOP's repeal measure.

This has the support of the Dem leadership -- Chris Van Hollen signed on to the plan today -- and the idea is to force House members to go on record saying whether they support repealing the closure of the Medicare "donut" hole, the provision nixing discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, and so on.

Alas, it looks as if Dems are not going to have the chance to introduce these amendments. The GOP -- who now controls the House floor, in case you've forgotten -- is unlikely to allow any amendments to the bill.

Eric Cantor suggested to reporters today that the GOP will not allow what's known as an "open rule," which would allow Dems to introduce amendments such as the ones mentioned above:'

Cantor was asked whether there would be an open rule on the short repeal bill, the text of which Republicans made public last night. Under an open rule, Democrats would be allowed to propose amendments. Cantor strongly implied that this wouldn't happen. "It's a straightforward document," he said. "It reflect what most people inside the beltway and outside the beltway want." Several more questions about the strategy for the vote were answered the same way. "This was litigated in the last election," said Cantor. He repeated that a few minutes later: "Most people out there believe that this health care bill has been litigated."

This isn't quite conclusive, but a GOP aide involved in the discussions confirms this means Republicans are unlikely to allow any amendments.

Dems, of course, will cry hypocrisy, pointing out that Republicans demanded again and again that they be allowed to introduce amendments and generally enjoy an open process while health reform was being debated. But Republicans have their response at the ready: "Obamacare" has already been "litigated," in the last Congress and in the elections; no need for an open amendment process during the debate over the GOP's push to get rid of it.

So while things could always change, it looks like the Dems will be frustrated in their efforts to put Republicans on the spot by forcing them to go on record supporting the specific repeal of provisions that are popular. It's a little taste of what House Dems will face in the minority.

