During a news conference today regarding Republican obstruction of a Veterans bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told reporters that he’s confident he will be able to bring his health care bill to the Senate floor next week, after Congress returns from a brief Veterans Day recess, and then pass the bill by Christmas. But the number two man in the caucus, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was far more cautious, suggesting that debate on the bill may have to wait until after Thanksgiving.
A reporter asked Reid whether he believes his hoped-for time line to begin and end debate on the bill is reasonable. Reid responded, “yes, and yes.”
Earlier today, Reid met with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)–a key holdout on the bill, who says he’ll filibuster it if it includes a public option. Reid says he’s “confident [he and Lieberman] work something out.”
Durbin shares that confidence, but isn’t so certain about the time line.
“We do have a Thanksgiving recess, and we’re hoping that the bill will be ready for all members to carefully review it during that period of time, and then when we return we can meet together and work out our differences,” Durbin told reporters after the event.
That’s somewhat out of sync with Reid’s confidence that the bill might be on the floor next week. Durbin thinks it’s possible the bill might move to the floor before Thanksgiving, but even that would be a lucky turn of events.
“Boy that would be a terrific outcome, if we could get to the motion to proceed to that vote before we leave,” Durbin said.
And what about the 60 votes?
“We feel like we [have them],” Durbin said, “but until it actually happens, as the whip, I don’t take anything for granted.”
