Schumer Public Option Amendment Fails in Finance Committee

Sen Chuck Schumer talks with reporters after a series of votes on energy policy and high gasoline prices on June 10, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (LAUREN VICTORIA BURKE/WDCPIX.COM)
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The Senate Finance Committee can’t even endorse a modest public option like Chuck Schumer’s. Citing his belief that a public option can’t pass on the Senate floor “at this time,” Finance chairman Max Baucus joined two Democrats and all Republicans in voting down the amendment, which failed 10 to 13.

Joining Baucus on the Democrats’ side of the dais were Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and, by proxy, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) who wasn’t present for the vote.

There will be no public option in the Finance Committee’s health care bill.

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