Confusion belies major legislation in Congress

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) captured the sentiments of many lawmakers and congressional observers when she conveyed uncertainty regarding the finished versions of climate change and healthcare reform legislation.

She tweeted:

Different versions,differnt bills,differnt proposals on healthcare & climate change.Don’t know what we’ll end up voting on yet.Studying all.

The Missouri Democrat commented that the final form of the two top priorities in Congress is still unknown.

The Senate and the House will likely produce vastly different versions of healthcare reform legislation. Both chambers have not brought a measure to a vote, but recent reports have indicated the Senate Finance Committee may drop the public option from the bill, which is one of President Barack Obama’s top priorities.

Meanwhile, Blue Dog Democrats in the House are pushing back against Democratic leadership on the current version of the bill that includes a surtax on the rich to fund the measure.

The House has already passed the climate change bill, which includes a cap and trade energy proposal. The Senate has yet to bring a measure to the floor.