Health care debate off to rocky start in Senate

By Lisa Mascaro

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 1:46 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Well, this does not look good. The Senate opened the health care debate this afternoon with a caustic exchange that shows what a long, hard slog these next few weeks might be.

The two sides were testy even as they began. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sought to restrict amendments, and was met by an objection from the Republican floor manager, Sen. Michael Enzi of Wyoming, who complained that the proposal Reid was making was different from one shown just 90 seconds earlier.

Enzi called it “something that is not understandable." He objected.

“It’s not too difficult to comprehend,” Reid offered, repeating the proposal to limit amendments.

Next, Reid sought to have all amendments posted online, a shout-out to the transparency efforts of Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, who has insisted that the legislation be posted for 72 hours, and remains one of the Democratic senators whose support for the final bill Reid is trying to win.

Enzi, worried that posting requirements would limit the chance for his side to offer amendments, said he must object to that, too.

Reid complained that Republicans were blocking even the most simple requests.

“This is not a good way to start this debate,” Reid said.

Enzi was equally displeased. “I’m a little bit upset by what just happened here,” he said.

In opening the Senate, Reid said that the chamber will be in session “weekends, plural” as Democrats work toward achieving the majority leader’s goal of completing work on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority by year’s end.

Reid often threatens weekend sessions as a way to prod lawmakers along, but this time he is being taken more seriously.

“Saturdays and Sundays,” Reid said.

What a long haul it will be.