Oct 27 2009
Senate to Push for Public Option
Reversing course, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now says he’ll try to get a health-care reform bill passed that includes a public option. The bill may include an opt-out mechanism so a legislature and governor can choose for its state to not to participate in the system.
Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, who is the only Congressional Republican to vote for any of the five bills working through House or Senate committees, said she is disappointed by the development. She doesn’t want to back legislation with a public option.
Reid has wanted 60 votes for a bill to ensure a successful cloture vote that would end a filibuster. Congressional and White House officials fear the Republicans will do anything to block the measure from passing the Senate. Reid must also find a way to get liberals and moderates on the same page, especially the senators from red states who must run for re-election next year.
The House, given its large Democratic majority and larger control of debate rules, is expected to approve a bill with a public option. The question has always been the upper chamber, which allows one senator to speak theoretically forever as long as he or she continues talking.
There are historic examples of senators speaking for 48 hours non-stop or reading from phone books to delay floor votes. Such instances are increasingly rare though.
The Democrats can use parliamentary tactics such as reconciliation to pass parts of a health-care bill with just 51 votes. However, they fear opening that Pandora’s Box. They are worried that the Republicans, should they ever regain a majority, will use the same method to get controversial legislation passed.
