The Hill is Alive With the Sound of Music

This week, Capitol Hill was alive with the sound of musical chairs.  It was announced on Wednesday that Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will replace Former Senator Ted Kennedy as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (aka “HELP” Committee). Harkin – a onetime Presidential candidate who ran against a little known Governor from Arkansas named Bill Clinton – promised to continue the legacy of Senator Kennedy.  He is a key proponent of a publicly funded insurance option and noted on Thursday that he is willing to push forward healthcare reform legislation through the HELP Committee without the support of his Republican colleagues.

"I was heartened by his strong support for a public option," Harkin said Thursday about President Obama’s speech.  "I hope what he was saying by that was, don't just vote against it because that's one part. Look at all the other parts. Look at everything else we're doing in health-care reform and see if that doesn't outweigh any of your problems or concerns you have about a public option.”

Harkin was second in line to replace Senator Kennedy but moved into the leadership role after Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) decided to remain as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.  Facing a tough reelection bid in 2010, Dodd – another one time presidential candidate – believes that focusing on regulatory banking reform in the wake of last fall’s financial collapse will propel him to an election night win next November, where he faces some challenges. With Harkin now in the driver’s seat on HELP, the Democrats may take a step closer to including the controversial public option into the upcoming healthcare bill.  But, the need for bi-partisan support will likely outweigh political objectives in the final analysis.

Not to be discounted is the other Iowan who also holds center stage in the Senate debate.  Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is the Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Committee on Finance behind Max Baucus and has served as a key Republican negotiator throughout the healthcare reform process. Watching how both Senators Grassley and Harkin react to healthcare reform will be crucial in the coming weeks and could portend how the debate extends beyond October to next January.  Again, I predict we will see some reform this year.  But, it seems equally clear that we are headed toward a series of reform initiatives over the coming months and years on an issue of vital importance to the economic and social fabric of the US. 

The views and opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dell Services or its affiliates.