Historic: Ted Cruz Wants Mike Pence to Preside Over Senate For Obamacare Repeal

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is suggesting a radical move that would be extremely unpopular among Democrats, but would give Republicans the upper-hand in the fight to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Cruz is calling on Vice President Mike Pence to exert his power as president of the Senate in an attempt to include some important healthcare provisions supported by conservatives, but left out of the Republicans’ bill.

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“Under the Budget Act of 1974, which is what governs reconciliation, it is the presiding officer, the vice president of the United States, who rules on what’s permissible on reconciliation and what is not. That’s a conversation I’ve been having with a number of my colleagues,” Cruz said.

Republicans only hold 52 Senate seats, but need 60 to overcome a minority party filibuster. In order to get around this, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell plans to use the budget reconciliation process.

Cruz asserts that this wouldn’t be difficult to do, as all Pence would be required to do is set aside the parliamentarian’s advice on the subject and make his own interpretation of the Senate rules.

“You don’t have to override the parliamentarian or get a new parliamentarian. Under the statute, it is the vice president who rules. It is the presiding officer who makes the decision. The parliamentarian advises on that question.”

This would make it difficult if not nearly impossible for Democrats to overturn Pence’s choices, as they only hold 48 of the 60 seats necessary to do so, including Democrat-caucusing Independents.

Naturally, Democrats opposed this idea, saying that it violates Senate precedent.

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“Then anything could be subject to reconciliation. You could authorize war with a simple majority and argue that it affects spending,” stated a senior Democratic aide. He also claimed the idea was “outlandish” and “not going to happen.”

In the past I would say it was crazy to propose this, but the Trump Presidency has been anything but predictable. Under this administration, anything is possible and if we have a chance to further the conservative agenda (especially where it concerns government intrusion in the lives of the average American), I believe it should be seriously considered. Let’s hope that Pence listens to Cruz.

H/T: The Hill