By Alexander Bolton - 09/19/13 11:01 PM EDT
Senators have identified a legislative strategy to fund the federal government without forcing Republicans to vote against language to defund ObamaCare.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has not confirmed what procedural path he will choose but colleagues say he is likely to use an “amendment to strike” to kill the House-originated language to defund the new healthcare law while keeping the government funded.
Senate sources say Reid is likely to bring the House continuing resolution, which includes language to defund ObamaCare and to prioritize debt payments if the nation hits its debt limit, to the Senate floor.
Reid’s first move would be to schedule a vote to end debate on proceeding to the House continuing resolution. This would require 60 votes. Republican senators would vote to proceed to the bill because it would including the language to defund ObamaCare.