Overview
(March 21, 2017, Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s Government Affairs & Public Policy Group has released “Demystifying Reconciliation: Understanding the Process, Its Benefits, and Its Limitations,” a 12-page memo that provides a thorough discussion of reconciliation procedures. The primer was authored by Darryl Nirenberg, who served 14 years on Capitol Hill in senior legislative positions in the Senate, and Leslie Belcher, who served as chief of staff for two members of Congress, along with Steptoe legislative assistant Chelsea Gold.
The so-called “reconciliation” process on Capitol Hill is playing a central role for many of the legislative priorities of the new Congress – including proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act. Despite its buzzword popularity, however, and the hope among many that it serves as a panacea to Congressional gridlock, reconciliation is rife with complexities. Anyone seeking to take advantage of its benefits would be well advised to understand the process, its background and its limitations.
Along with providing an explanation of the reconciliation process, the primer answers frequently asked questions about the process including:
- What is the status of the Affordable Care Act and reconciliation?
- What are reconciliation instructions?
- How is reconciliation legislation considered in the House? In the Senate?
- What is the Byrd Rule? What is its role?
Reconciliation is a process designed to bring revenues, spending, and the debt limit into conformity with a budget resolution agreed upon by the House and Senate. The process has been used over the years as a procedural tool to focus on key policy initiatives such as tax reform, welfare reform, and student loan program reform.
“Reconciliation is a very technical process. Back in 2010, when it was used to pass an amendment to the Affordable Care Act, Darryl drafted a similar primer on the process that ended up being widely circulated among Capitol Hill staff seeking to educate themselves about the process,” said Micah Green, co-chair of Steptoe’s Government Affairs & Public Policy Group.
Steptoe’s bipartisan team of lawyers and government affairs professionals brings decades of experience working in and with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, and understands how public policy decisions are made. The team includes former congressmen, the governor of Puerto Rico, the general counsel of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, chiefs of staff in both the House and Senate, and senior staff and legislative positions.
About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
