I read something the other day that the parliamentarian can object to provisions that don’t meet the normal criteria for “reconciliation” and the Republicans will be able to offer endless amendments. Hope that is true (but it may depend on who the parliamentarian is and whether he can be blackmailed).
That's true. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 spells out very clearly what can and cannot be passed under the rules of Budget Reconciliation. The so-called "public option", doesn't come anywhere near meeting those rules, IMHO. I really don't think it will make it past the parliamentarian, but anything is possible in corrupt DC.
exactly, this thing is dead, this is all posturing.
I’ve also read that the Parliamentarian only makes recommendations to the President of the Senate (VP Biden), who can overrule any recommendation.