(6-12-16) Politics is the art of compromise. That’s a common saying on Capitol Hill. Politics is about negotiating consensus and cooperation between factions.
This coming Wednesday, June 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to convene a hearing to consider and vote on the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), introduced by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA).
The legislation the committee will be voting on has been so mightily revised by Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), to appease its detractors and House Democrats that it is hardly resembles its first version.
For those who supported Murphy’s initial efforts that’s a bitter pill. For those who opposed Murphy’s campaign, there’s reason to celebrate because Murphy’s most divisive proposals have been dropped. Advocates for the mental health groups that I polled over the weekend feel the compromise bill is “good legislation.”
The fighting is far from over, however. On Wednesday, there will be attempts by both sides to reword and rework the latest revisions, but I would imagine that Upton is a shrewd enough politician to not bring his revamped bill up for a vote without knowing that he has enough support to get it passed.