White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters today that it’s up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid whether to try to pass a public option via reconciliation.
Gibbs was asked for comment on the letter urging Reid to pass a public option with 50 votes. The letter has been signed by 20 senators so far.
“I think they’ve asked for a vote on the floor of the Senate, and that’s up to those who manage the amendments, and to Leader Reid,” Gibbs said.
A Senate leadership aide told TPMDC last week that such a measure can’t pass without explicit support from the president.
Watch:
The letter, written by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), has been signed by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). You can see the rest of the signatories here.
President Obama released his own health care proposal today. It does not include a public option.