Anthony Weiner, If You Want a Vote on the Public Option, Why Not Demand It?

[t0dd]

Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has a new op-ed in Politico calling for giving the public option a vote in the Senate. While he does not address the process dynamics, he leaves the impression that he is calling for an up-or-down vote on the public option as an amendment to the reconciliation bill or as a stand-alone reconciliation measure.

Supporters of the public option in Congress and the country want the president to succeed. I think we dishonor the long debate over this issue to let it simply disappear without a trace.

At the end of all whodunits is the “aha” moment. We know Kristin shot J.R. We know Maggie shot Mr. Burns. Heck, we even know that Colonel Mustard did it with a rope in the study.

Let’s put the public option to a vote, once and for all.

I fully agree with this sentiment and think the public option deserves an up-or-down vote as part of reconciliation. In fact, I spelled out the strategy for how just one determined Democratic senator could likely force an up-or-down vote on a public option amendment to any reconciliation sidecar bill. But, while I can only write about this stuff, Anthony Weiner, as a member of Congress, can actually do something about it–beyond writing op-eds.

...

So, the real question is: what are the public option supporters doing to make sure that vote happens? Are there even a handful of House or Senate Democrats who think the American people deserve an honest accounting from their representatives?

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/03/05/anthony-weiner-if-you-want-a-vote-on-the-public-option-why-not-demand-it/

Refuse to vote on the Senate bill until the Public Option passes as a standalone bill. Sounds reasonable to me, but I know our representatives' real constituents, the health insurance industry, would have to approve first. :eyes: And you can't count on the Progressive Caucus, you know, the ones that pledged to vote against any bill without a public option. Besides Massa and Kucinich, they are worthless..

[gateley]

1. Bernie Sanders is who comes to mind for the Senate. I'd heard this morning

that changing one word of the current proposal would require it getting approval from the House and the Senate -- I wasn't aware that there was this option.

I'll call his office and e-mail him now. Ditto with Grayson, Wasserman-Schultz, Inslee (my guy) and I'll think of some more, I'm sure. My Senators won't do anything until they see which way the wind is blowing.

Let's get on this!