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Civility reigned Wednesday during a health care debate between Reps. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) on "Larry King Live."
Both lawmakers, perhaps two of the House's most ideologically different members, were on their best behavior during a segment that had the potential to be a knock-down-drag-out fight.
Bachmann began the discussion by arguing that the Senate would be breaking it's own rules to pass a health care bill if it uses reconciliation.
Bachmann: An up or down vote is a good thing, Larry. It's just how many votes will it take. Will it take 50 votes or will it take 60 votes...
King: Well what's wrong with majority rules?
Bachmann: Well because that's not how the Senate works. The Senate works with 60 votes, and now what the president is promoting is a nuclear option which is 50 votes.
King: But it used the majority rules on the Bush tax cuts.
Bachmann: Well, the House uses straight majority rules, the Senate doesn't. So what this means is that the Senate has to break their own rules in order to pass the bill.
King: And that's wrong?
Bachmann: Oh, I think so. Sure.
Grayson responded:
My esteemed colleague from Minnesota is entirely wrong. There's nothing in the Senate rules that prevents reconciliation. It's been used 22 times overall and 14 times by Republicans. If it's good enough to provide tax cuts for the rich -- twice under Bush -- it's good enough to provide health care for all Americans.
Grayson, Bachmann Debate Health Care Reform On 'Larry King Live' (VIDEO)
Both lawmakers, perhaps two of the House's most ideologically different members, were on their best behavior during a segment that had the potential to be a knock-down-drag-out fight.
Bachmann began the discussion by arguing that the Senate would be breaking it's own rules to pass a health care bill if it uses reconciliation.
Bachmann: An up or down vote is a good thing, Larry. It's just how many votes will it take. Will it take 50 votes or will it take 60 votes...
King: Well what's wrong with majority rules?
Bachmann: Well because that's not how the Senate works. The Senate works with 60 votes, and now what the president is promoting is a nuclear option which is 50 votes.
King: But it used the majority rules on the Bush tax cuts.
Bachmann: Well, the House uses straight majority rules, the Senate doesn't. So what this means is that the Senate has to break their own rules in order to pass the bill.
King: And that's wrong?
Bachmann: Oh, I think so. Sure.
Grayson responded:
My esteemed colleague from Minnesota is entirely wrong. There's nothing in the Senate rules that prevents reconciliation. It's been used 22 times overall and 14 times by Republicans. If it's good enough to provide tax cuts for the rich -- twice under Bush -- it's good enough to provide health care for all Americans.
Grayson, Bachmann Debate Health Care Reform On 'Larry King Live' (VIDEO)