Seat MA's New Senator & Start Over With Health Care

The election of Scott Brown to the Senate seat formerly held by the late Senator Edward Kennedy in Massachusetts has dramatically changed the equation for debate over government-run healthcare.  In fact, given that the Democrats had been pushing a bill supported entirely by Democrats, the loss of the 60th vote in the Senate should mean that the legislation is dead.  Unfortunately, that is not completely the case.

While Congressional Democrats are giving indications that consideration of the bill is on hold - they continue to insist that they are looking for a way to move forward. 

Read the ACLJ legal memo on Massachusetts election law here.

The options under discussion include moving the Senate-passed bill in the House, breaking the bill down into smaller pieces for passage, or using a procedural trick called budget 'reconciliation' to move the controversial portions of the bill.  Each of these options represents a skirting of the normal legislative process in an attempt to pass a bill that the American people simply do not want.  There's growing discontent among the American people and it's clear that support for the kind of health care reform backed by the Democrat-controlled Congress continues to decline.

In fact, a new poll indicates that a clear majority of the American people - 55% - want Congress to put the brakes on health care now.  Scrap it all together.  The survey results are here.

We continue to insist that the current bills in both the Senate and House be scrapped and the process needs to start anew - with the newly elected Senator from Massachusetts involved.  Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership is in no hurry to seat Senator-elect Brown.  In fact, Senate Majority Leader Reid says he won't swear-in Brown until the Massachusetts election results are certified - a process that could take up to two weeks.  The delay is absurd - the voters of Massachusetts have spoken and the election outcome is not in dispute.

In fact, theres even precedent for seating a Senator BEFORE certification is completed.  Thats exactly what happened to Senator Edward Kennedy in the 1960s who took the oath of office within hours after being elected.  Its time for Senate Majority Leader Reid to quit playing the delay game and seat Senator-elect Brown now.

The fact is that Republicans and Democrats can agree on a number of reforms, and it is those areas where there is common ground that reform should truly begin.  As long as the leadership in the House and Senate insist on stubbornly leaving the option of moving forward on the current bills on the table, we will loudly object on behalf of our members across the nation.

And if you haven't signed on to our petition yet, please take a moment to do so.  You can add your name here.  Your voice does make a difference.   And, of course, we'll keep you posted on developments as they unfold on our daily radio broadcast, Jay Sekulow Live!