I’ve just read the actual text of the reconciliation letter Harry Reid sent to Mitch McConnell. Here is just one part that jumped out at me:

[M]any Republicans have spent the past year mischaracterizing the health reform bill and misleading the public. Though we have tried to engage in a serious discussion, our efforts have been met by repeatedly debunked myths and outright lies.

Nice use of Senatorial language, isn’t it?

He goes on:

After watching these tactics for nearly a year, there is only one conclusion an objective observer could make: these Republican maneuvers are rooted less in substantive policy concerns and more in a partisan desire to discredit Democrats, bolster Republicans, and protect the status quo on behalf of the insurance industry.

Sounds like Reid’s been taking lessons from Anthony “GOP Is ‘Wholly Owned Subsidiary Of The Insurance Industry” Weiner.

And…

While Republicans were distorting the facts in the health care debate and inflicting delay after needless delay, millions of Americans have continued to suffer as they struggle to afford to stay healthy, stay out of bankruptcy and stay in their homes. Thousands of Americans lose their health care every day, and tens of thousands of the uninsured have lost their lives since this debate began. Meanwhile, rising health costs have contributed to a rising federal budget deficit.”

The Tide is Turning on HCR

Reid then – finally – responds to GOP charges that reconciliation is uncalled for or has never been used for anything this big:

There is nothing unusual or extraordinary about the use of reconciliation. As one of the most senior Senators in your caucus, Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, said in explaining the use of this very same option, “Is there something wrong with majority rules? I don’t think so.” ….

[R]econciliation would be used to make a modest number of changes to the original legislation, all of which would be budget-related.

(An argument many of us had wished Reid had made during the White House health care summit.)

Reid also calls them out for being the Party of NO:

As has been well documented, your caucus conspicuously shattered the record for obstruction last Congress by demanding gratuitous procedural votes on even the most non-controversial matters, and by stalling the work of the Senate despite the urgency of the serious problems facing our country.

Nonetheless…

Keep in mind that reconciliation will not exclude Republicans from the legislative process. You will continue to have an opportunity to offer amendments and change the shape of the legislation. In addition, at the end of the process, the bill can pass only if it wins a democratic, up-or-down majority vote. If Republicans want to vote against a bill that reduces health care costs, fills the prescription drug “donut hole” for seniors and reduces the deficit, you will have every right to do so.

IOW, if you want to vote to be a loser, we will be glad to accommodate you.

So far, I have found no reply from McConnell. I suppose it is difficult to do so when you’re foaming at the mouth. Or wondering where Harry Reid suddenly found his nerve.

I will not, under the circumstances, use the usual metaphor. It would be inappropriate. But I will take this opportunity to offer prayers and best wishes for his wife and daughter, and a speedy and complete recovery.

(Title changed slightly. Reid wasn’t singling out McConnell as a liar, but Republicans in general.) [See below for more on the health care reform bill.]

See Are Democrats Really Scrapping Abortion Negotiations With Stupak?, Talking Points Memo DC, March 12, 2010, by Brian Beutler, excerpt quoted verbatim:

The Associated Press raised a lot of eyebrows today with this piece, implying that negotiations over the abortion provision in the Senate health care bill had fallen apart.

“House leaders have concluded they cannot change a divisive abortion provision in President Barack Obama’s health care bill and will try to pass the sweeping legislation without the support of ardent anti-abortion Democrats,” they reported.

Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman of California, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said the leadership will press ahead without reworking the abortion provision, which opponents say falls short in restricting taxpayer dollars for abortion coverage. He predicted some of the anti-abortion lawmakers in the party will end up voting for the overhaul anyway.

While it looks like there’s an impasse with no chance for changes to abortion language, Stupak and Waxman are still talking. And that’s an important point to be aware of. ~ Evans Liberal Politics owner Paul Evans

See BREAKING: Pelosi Calls Stupak’s Bluff: NO compromise!, Daily Kos, March 11, 2010, by I Said GOOD DAY sir.

See Pelosi: ‘The Choice Has to Be Made’, Politico, March 12, 2010, by Patrick O’Connor.

Pelosi: Public option ‘not in reconciliation’, The Raw Story, March 12, 2010, by Sahil Kapur, excerpt quoted verbatim:

If there was any lingering doubt as to whether the public option would survive the final health care motion, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) ended it on Friday morning.

“We had it. We wanted it,” Pelosi told reporters at a press briefing, according to the Washington Post Plum Line’s Greg Sargent. “It’s not in reconciliation. We’re talking about something that’s not going to be part of the legislation.”

See Democrats Planning for Health Bill Vote Next Week, The New York Times, March 12, 2010, by Robert Pear and David Herszenhorn.