Democrats Try to Sweeten Obamacare by Taking Over Student Loans

Nancy Pelosi has tried to 'sweeten the deal' for Democrats undecided on health care reform. She has added a takeover of the student loan program.

...President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand....

"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business.""

How does this 'sweeten the deal?' Thirty-four (34) Democrats who voted against the health care bill voted for the takeover of student loans. The student loan bill is stalled in the Senate because it needs 60 votes. Under reconciliation rules, Democrats can pass it as part of Obamacare with 50 votes plus Joe Biden.

The student loan bill comfortably passed the House with 253 votes, including those from 34 Democrats who voted against the health care bill. Thus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may be thinking that if she can induce some of those Democrats into supporting a health care bill by attaching it to something they like, it may be able to make up for whatever defections she'll have within her caucus due to abortion or other concerns.