Senate Invokes Cloture on Bill That Averts Cuts To Medicare Payments
On Monday, the Senate voted 60-34 to invoke cloture on a bill (HR 4851) that would grant a temporary extension of COBRA subsidies, clearing the way for the chamber to consider the measure this week, the New York Times reports (Hulse, New York Times, 4/12).
The legislation also would implement a 30-day freeze to scheduled Medicare reimbursement cuts for doctors (California Healthline, 4/12).
Democrats and Republicans were in a stalemate prior to the spring recess over whether the bill's $9.2 billion cost should be offset.
Four Republican senators on Monday voted in favor of cloture. Lawmakers expect a vote on the measure in the next few days (Rushing, The Hill, 4/12).
According to the Times, the cloture vote does not guarantee passage of the bill because Republicans ultimately could unite against the legislation during a final vote or challenge certain provisions through budget rules (New York Times, 4/12).
Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said Democrats are preparing to bring forward a larger legislative package that would grant yearlong extensions to certain programs and initiatives (O'Brien, "Blog Briefing Room," The Hill, 4/12).
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