Steve Benen explains reconciliation to Hatch

The Washington Monthly:

"Let me try to explain this in a way even Hatch can understand.

1. Democrats aren't trying to pass health care legislation using the Senate's reconciliation rules. Reconciliation would be used for a budget fix, which is why reconciliation exists.

2. 'Sweeping' social legislation has already passed on 'a totally partisan vote.' If Democrats 'get their way'? Democrats already got their way -- health care reform passed the Senate on a 60-to-39 vote in December, with zero GOP votes. Hatch was there; he should probably remember. It was 'a totally partisan vote' because Republicans refused to negotiate in good faith, and rejected ideas they claimed to support.

3. Hatch supported reconciliation many times, on legislation large and small, including bills related to health care. His incessant whining on the subject is disingenuous and demonstrably false.

Hatch isn't some rookie; he's been in the Senate nearly as long as I've been alive. And yet, he can't seem to bring himself to even try to tell the truth about the basics, a habit that seems to get him more appearances on national television, instead of fewer.

The mind reels."