Senate Democrats Plan to Force Vote on Public Option

Today is the the Public Option Day. Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee plan to put their Democratic colleagues on the spot today when they offer amendments that allow uninsured Americans the opportunity to join a government insurance program. The health care insurance industry-friendly bill sponsored by Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) does not contain the so-called public option. The New York Times' Prescriptions blog is live-blogging the hearing.

Rockefeller (WV) and Schumer (NY) will offer at least three amendments. Both have vowed not to vote for any final HCR legislation without the option.

Comments

[Ravenback]

Well, Senator Rockerfeller's public option admendment just lost 8-15. Democratic Sens. Baucus (MT), Lincoln (AR), Conrad (ND), Carper (DE), and Nelson (FL) voted with all the Republicans against it. We officially know where these idiots stand.

[Derrick from Philly]

Thanks for the update, RAVENBACK. I'm sorry these Democrats don't have the integrity(or guts) to stand for what their party stands for--the party that FDR re-created.

Well, it's no wonder that the President is wobbly on certain issues. He's standing on a shakey foundation made defective by too many pseudo-Democrats. And the days of LBJ twisting arms and making secret threats to get members of Congress to "do right" are over--that aint gonna' happen.