Monday, October 26, 2009
Harry did it!
He is putting a public option plan in the Senate bill, 60 votes needed to remove it, and says he has to 60 votes to avoid a Democratic filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced what we've been reporting today - the merged health care bill will include a public option allowing states to opt-out.Actually I am hoping that, at some point, the trigger is added to the bill, to enable the opt out provision.
"Under this concept states will be able to determine whether the public option works best for them," Reid told reporters. He said it was the "fairest" way to go.
Reid (D-NV) said after "countless hours" of talking to his caucus, there is a "strong consensus" for this plan. He said he will not submit a plan with a triggered public option to the Congressional Budget Office.
"As we've gone through this process, I've concluded, with the support of the White House and Senators. Dodd and Baucus, that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with an opt out provision for states," Reid said.
Reid said he was "disappointed" the public option had "frightened" Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) but that he hoped she would "come back."
"I spoke to Olympia on Friday...and at this stage she does not like the public option of any kind. And so, we'll have to move forward on this, and there will come a time I hope, where she sees the wisdom of supporting a health care bill," he said.
"We hope Olympia will come back, she's worked hard, she's a very good legislator," Reid added.
He also blasted Republicans, saying he can count the moderates in the GOP on "two fingers."
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