Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, made it clear last night on the Rachel Maddow show that in his opinion, healthcare reform will not, and should not, be part of any budget reconciliation process.

"That would probably be the worst thing we could do," said Harkin in response to a question about passing healthcare reform using budget reconciliation. "Because... if this were to go to reconciliation now, it would not be written by my committee, which is a very progressive committee."

"We don't have to go to reconciliation," continued Harkin. "We are going to have the 60 votes."

Yesterday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled the Senate's healthcare reform bill. The Senate bill needs 60 votes to proceed to a floor debate, and Reid is expected to call a vote later this week, perhaps Saturday if not sooner, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The timeframe for a student aid reconciliation bill continues to be dependent on the fate of healthcare legislation. If Congress is able to pass a healthcare reform package through the normal legislative process, Congress will likely use the reconciliation process to pass the student aid package -- making it easier to pass in the Senate, but putting provisions in the House bill that don't directly impact the budget at risk.

Watch the entire Maddow video below. Jump to 3:40 to see the beginning of the Harkin interview and 6:57 to see the discussion on budget reconciliation.

By Justin Draeger
Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy

Posted 11/19/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.