I didn't see a diary on this, but if there is or was one earlier, do let me know and I'll delete.
FINALLY! Ron Wyden, Mark Udall, & Bob Casey step up to the plate. I have to leave shortly, and just wanted to make sure this news got out here.
From an email I just received from CREDO: THANKS for the update CREDO!
Dear Friend,
Our campaign to ensure a public health insurance option gets an up-or-down vote in the Senate is on fire thanks to calls from constituents like you.
This morning, three more senators — including Sen. Wyden — came out in support passing the public option through "reconciliation," which takes only 51 votes. That means we're up to 33 votes in the Senate for a public option, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. These senators deserve our thanks.
Email continued below the fold...
Action item specifically directed (phone number) to my Senator -
Can you call Sen. Wyden and thank him for showing leadership in the public option fight?
Just call him at 202-224-5244.
When senators take a stand like this, it's important that they know their constituents support them.
Here's a sample script you can use:
Hi — my name is [NAME] and I live in [YOUR CITY], [YOUR STATE].
I'm calling to thank Sen. Wyden for publicly offering support for passing a public option through reconciliation, which requires only 51 votes in the Senate. It's great to see bold leadership on this issue and I want to thank Sen. Wyden for fighting for real health care reform.
Thank you for fighting for health care reform.
Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action
I don't have the phone numbers readily available for Udall or Casey.
P.S. The full list of senators on board can be found here. And check out what the latest three votes for the public option said:
Statement from Sen. Ron Wyden (OR):
"I've long believed we need a more competitive insurance market. If the House version of the public option came up for a vote in reconciliation I would vote yes."
Statement from Sen. Mark Udall's office (CO):
"Senator Udall shares President Obama's over-arching priority of enacting meaningful and comprehensive health reform that will increase quality and access and put our system on a sustainable track by lowering costs for small businesses, taxpayers, and American families. As part of reform, he continues to feel that inclusion of a public option to go head-to-head with private insurers could play a significant role in bringing down costs and offering more affordable options to Coloradans. He thinks it's important that such a plan — like the one approved in the House bill — negotiate reimbursement rates while competing on a level playing field with the private sector, and if such a plan comes up for a vote under the reconciliation process, he would vote for it."
Statement from Sen. Bob Casey (PA) spokesperson Larry Smar:
"Sen Casey thinks that all options should be considered for moving forward legislation to insure more Americans, crack down on insurance company abuses, and get a handle on health care spending that is raising the deficit and threatening our economy. He has been a longtime advocate for a public option and he believes that it is the best way to increase choice and competition and to hold insurance companies accountable. He has made this known to Senate leadership as next steps are considered. If there is a vote on the House public option in reconciliation, he will vote yes. "
Wyden was supposed to be a guest on our Portland 620 KPOJ radio station this morning when Carl announced that Wyden had cancelled the interview due to scheduling conflicts. Naturally I thought he didn't want to confront the question of public option/reconciliation. Boy was I wrong.
Thanks Senator Wyden, and all the other 32 Senators, for lining up on the side of the American people.
Update: Thanks to by foot:
Sen. Udall can be phoned to 202-224-5941
and thanks also to jpmassar:
MARK UDALL
COLORADO
202-224-5941
email
303-650-7820 719-471-3993 970-356-5586 970-245-9553
999 18th St, Suite 1525, North Tower Denver, CO 80202
BOB CASEY
PENNSYLVANIA
202-224-6324
email
866-461-9159 215-405-9660 412-803-7370 717-231-7540
2000 Market Street, Suite 1870, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Update #2 (h/t to Nate Roberts)
Bob Casey's Facebook page.