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Deem and pass explained

National
By Catharine Richert
March 17, 2010

Ever heard of “deem and pass” before?

It may sound like a football play, but it’s actually House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s favored procedural maneuver to pass health care reform in the lower chamber.

Such legislative gymnastics have Republicans up in arms.

“There is no precedent for what the Democrats are doing with this deception,” said Florida Rep. Cliff Stearns on March 15, 2010. “We have never written a reconciliation bill to amend a law that does not exist.”

We check into the accuracy of his statement and explain the details of deem and pass; read our full report.

Our Sources

See item for complete sources.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

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