Sanders would support reconciliation to break filibuster

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67123-sanders-would-support-reconciliation-to-break-filibuster


Sanders would support reconciliation to break filibuster
By Tony Romm - 11/10/09 07:34 AM ET



A leading Senate independent on Monday stressed he would support using reconciliation to break a filibuster and bring healthcare reform to a conclusive vote.

That affirmation, offered Monday night by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), perhaps eases lingering concerns among Democrats that the Vermont lawmaker could buck the majority party on procedural votes and further jeopardize the chamber's healthcare bill future.

"I think the role that is now attempting to play on health care is very, very unfortunate," Sanders told MSNBC in an interview, noting Lieberman's intended filibuster is precisely why he wanted his fellow independent sanctioned last year for stumping with GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

"The American people overwhelmingly want a public option for a variety of reasons," he added. "Correctly, they want a choice between a private insurance company and a Medicare-type plan. And they should have that choice."

And when asked whether he would support reconciliation in the event Lieberman and other Democrats blocked consideration of the bill, Sanders said: "Absolutely. Look, the trick here is to do the best that we can for the American people."

"And that is quality, affordable health care for all of our people," he added. "If we can`t do it because we don`t get 60 votes, then there are other ways that we have to proceed. And I would strongly support those other ways."

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67123-sanders-would-support-reconciliation-to-break-filibuster

[Odin2005]

1. Hey Dennis, this is what a real Progressive looks like!

[Toots]

4. Notice he is NOT a Democrat

Democrats, by definition, these days are not Progressives..

[redqueen]

7. Good lord... just tell us who is and who isn't... how about that?

Kerry?

Feingold?

Boxer?

This fucking True Progressive^TM bullshit is fucking tired. Kucinich has PLENTY of progressive DEMS he could take a lesson on productivity from.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

8. "Any thing you can progress, I can progress better...."

"No, you can't!"

"Yes, I can!"

[bluestateguy]

2. I don't see how you get a decent bill without it

The only way to get 60 for cloture would be to castrate this bill even more than it already has been.

Let Lieberman, Nebraska Nelson, Lincoln and a couple of others have their temper tantrums, then we roll right over them and pass the damn thing.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Had to kind of laugh at the lede.

It would be extremely difficult to not be a "leading Senate independent".

[babylonsister]

5. Well, there is Lieberman...unfortunately. nt

[Igel]

6. The writing's a bit strange.

My favorite is the temporally challenged "noting Lieberman's intended filibuster is precisely why he wanted his fellow independent sanctioned last year for stumping with GOP presidential candidate."

In other words, he wanted to have Lieberman censured for stumping with McCain in 2008. Why? Because Lieberman in late 2009 threatened to filibuster this bill.