Where Congress Stands on a public option

[ProSense]

Will vote for a public option:

Senate 50

House 220

[KansDem]

1. Wouldn't VP Biden break a 50-50 vote in the Senate?

Or am I being naive?

[ProSense]

3. Yes, but this is also just the ones on the record. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

5. With a GINORMOUS smile on his face he would!

[WeDidIt]

8. There is no 50-50 tie

There's a 50-49 majority.

Remember, there's one seat unfilled.

[KansDem]

10. Ah, yes... Of course...

Thanks...I forgot

[Clio the Leo]

2. I'm just glad that health care reform will NOT be distributed based on how your reps. voted!

Because I would be SO screwed! lol

Sens. Alexander and Corker and Rep. Bubba, I mean Wamp aren't doing me ANY favors.

[jenmito]

4. Whoa! When did it rise to 50? n/t

[WeDidIt]

6. We're there!

We don't even need Biden in the Senate because the count is currently 50-49 and there is no tie.

[jenmito]

7. And hopefully, Dukakis will be there to make 51! n/t

[Clio the Leo]

9. I'm convinced that rallies like the President had today......

... are not for the purpose of encouraging constituents to urge their reps. to pass health care .... but to prepare the American people for what is now the inevitable.

[Cha]

16. He always said he needed our help to

get this thing passed with a PO..a swelling from the ground up So you think we're there?

[WI_DEM]

11. Okay, it passes with 51 votes when Dukakis is sworn into Kennedy's seat or with VP Biden

in reconciliation. DEMS DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND PASS A PUBLIC OPTION. THE HOUSE WILL AND THE SENATE CAN WITH RECONCILIATION. DO IT.

[grantcart]

12. Interesting

I didn't know that either Bingaman or Wyden had agreed.



More will follow. Only 10 are 'undecided' I am guessing that we will end up very close to 60 when all of the arm twisting actually takes place.

Another and even more interesting question is who is willing to support a filibuster against it. I imagine that there will be some that may vote against the Public Option but will not filibuster it.

[andym]

13. The problem with reconciliation is the 10 year sunset rule

Anything passed must include a 10 year sunset terminating the legislation.
Still 10 years should be enough time to establish and strengthen a strong public option.

[mvd]

14. That's fantastic! Now just use reconciliation

Where did Baucus say he supports a public option, though? I thought he was still trying to get his inadequate proposal passed.

[ProSense]

15. Baucus will support reconciliation.

There will still be 50 votes without him when Kennedy's seat is filled. I actually think there will be more than 50.

[mucifer]

17. But the press INSISTS we NEED 60 votes or is it 80 votes or perhaps 90

I forgot.