Healthcare Freedom Act Still Alive
Despite losing a vote Wednesday to override Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the Healthcare Freedom Act, Republicans had a chance to push through with a winning margin Thursday. They opted instead to keep a hole card in their pocket, along with a vow to fight every veto coming from Perdue’s desk – even if they know they don’t have enough votes for an override.
The move could mean Democrats are in for a tense and long legislative session.
It started Thursday, when Republicans were posed to bring back the healthcare bill (HB2) for consideration, post veto override, using an obscure parliamentary move that would’ve required only a majority rather than a three-fifths necessary for an override.
If the GOP had moved forward, it could have easily prevailed on the ensuing override; eight Democrats had already left the session after receiving an assurance from Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis that there wouldn’t be any surprise moves following the original failed override vote. The Democrats’ absence would have given Republicans the three-fifths they needed.
Tillis decided to play it straight (pause for a quick minute and try to imagine former speaker and convicted felon Jim Black ever doing such a thing) and not push the vote. The GOP, though, can now park HB2 in a committee until they’re ready to take it out for another override spin. Like, say, the next time at least seven Democrats don’t show up for a legislative session – or enough pressure is put on those who do to garner a three-fifths vote to support override.
Tie that to the GOP’s promise to fight any veto coming from the governor’s desk, and it could serve to give Perdue pause about pulling out the stamp unless she wants bills lingering around in committee for the length of the session.
The end game for the GOP’s Healthcare Freedom Act: It’s still alive, so keep lobbying potential swing-vote Democrats to support an override.
Bill Owens (Bill.Owens@ncleg.net; 919-733-0010)
Marian McLawhorn (Marian.McLawhorn@ncleg.net; 919-733-5757)
William Brisson (William.Brisson@ncleg.net; 919-733-5772)
Diane Parfitt (Diane.Parfitt@ncleg.net; 919-733-9892)
Rick Glazier (Rick.Glazier@ncleg.net; 919-733-5601)
Maggie Jeffus (Maggie.Jeffus@ncleg.net; 919-733-5151)
Tim Spear (Tim.Spear@ncleg.net; 919-715-3029)
Dewey Hill (Dewey.Hill@ncleg.net; 919-733-5830)
Frank McGuirt (Frank.McGuirt@ncleg.net; 919-715-3007)
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