I don’t know details, but there is precedent for this type of action, but never on a bill of this magnitude. So seemingly, the challenge would have to differentiate this bill from the others in which this maneuver was used. I will be interested in hearing how The Great One thinks it’s different this time.
The Democrats are lying that this procedure has been used before to do the same thing. It hasn’t. The procedure has only been used before to make amendments to bills. It has never been used to actually pass a bill. That’s the difference, and that’s where the constitutional issue comes in.
I think the Republicans should clearly threaten (and follow up if necessary) that if the bill is passed in this way (i.e., the Slaughter House Rule), and if Obama signs it, they will introduce articles of impeachment against him for violating his constitutional oath to uphold the constitution. Of course, they’ll have to win control of the House of Representatives in November to make them stick, but they should do it anyway.