Republican memo outlines healthcare delay tactics

Senate Republicans circulated a memo today advising colleagues how to use Senate procedure to slow down debate on healthcare reform .

Written by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) the memo explains that Republicans can regularly object to procedural motions and demand roll call votes on motions that are normally passed by "unanimous consent."

"We, the minority party, must use the tools we have under Senate rules to insist on a full, complete and fully informed debate on the health care legislation – as well as all legislation – coming before the Senate," Gregg writes.

Read the whole memo by clicking here.

Republicans have made a point of calling for an extended debate. Underlying that argument is a belief that the longer the debate is drawn out, the smaller the chances are for Democrats to pass a bill.

Republicans, according to the memo, might regularly demand a roll call vote to establish a quorum, even if it's obvious that a quorum is present. Senators can also raise "points of order" objecting Democratic actions. Democrats could defeat those motions, but the memo counsels that "delay is created by the two roll call votes in connection with each tabling motion (motion to table and motion to reconsider that vote)."

Gregg also reminds colleagues that they can demand a full reading of any amendment and can offer as many amendments as they like, "germane or non-germane--on any subject."

"It has been necessary under past Democrat majorities to use the rules governing the amendment process aggressively to ensure that minority Senators get votes on their amendment as originally written," Gregg writes.

Each of those votes, of course, would slow down the process.

Democrats publicly claim that they hope to pass healthcare before the end of the year. But similar deadlines have been missed before, giving Republicans ammunition to claim that the bill is unpopular and unwieldy.