Thread by @ChadPergram

1) Senate MajLdr Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) plan to meet tomorrow with Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough Wednesday about provisions which may be eligible or ineligible to be included in the upcoming coronavirus bill

2) Fox is told we should know at some point tomorrow whether the $15 minimum wage hike is included in the bill or not. 

The House intends to start with the national wage standard in its version of the bill, now up for a vote on Friday.

3) But the minimum wage may not qualify to be included under special Senate budget rules. 

That is up to MacDonough. 

Bills considered under the special Senate budget process known as reconciliation (which can sidestep filibusters) are subject to the “Byrd Rule.”

4) Named after legendary Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D-WV), provisions in reconciliation bills must be fiscal in nature - not policy. They may also not add to the deficit over an extended period.

5) The process overseen by MacDonough is referred to in the Senate as the “Byrd Bath.” Provisions which are dropped from budget reconciliation measures because they don’t qualify are called “Byrd droppings.”

6) The Senate could vote to override MacDonough’s decision if she determines the minimum wage increase is ineligible for the reconciliation bill. But that would require 60 votes to waive special budget rules.

7) House Democrats would then have to decide whether it would accept a bill without the minimum wage increase if it is stripped in the Senate measure. 

So tomorrow is a crucial day for the coronavirus bill - and its contents.