CNN and MSNBC are reporting from their Dem leadership sources on the Hill that the CBO has scored the Senate bill at $849 billion, and says that it would reduce the deficit by $127 billion. Those are probably the numbers Harry Reid delievered this afterrnoon in a pre-caucus meeting with ConservaDems.
CNN) – Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu and Ben Nelson, who have all expressed skepticism about the party's health care reform plan, were summoned to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office Wednesday to get a sneak peak at his health care bill.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Wednesday the senator invited these three moderate Democrats into his office to give them the "particulars on the bill."
All have been withholding support on voting to start debate - and the fact that Reid is giving the three their own special briefing, before the broader Democratic meeting at 5 pm Wednesday, is a signal of their power.
Whether you want to interpret it as a signal of their power or their obstructionism is an open question. But the numbers from the CBO make complaints about how much the bill could cost coming from any of these three pretty hollow. Of course, Reid could also have been telling them he is willing to move the bill without them, if necessary. A girl can hope, right? What's interesting is that Joe Lieberman was excluded from this meeting. His exclusion from this "power" base must be killing him.
And in other Senate HCR news, an additional new wrinkle was thrown into the process today. Max Baucus has had to rush back to Montana for a family emergency. Significant action on the bill likely will have to wait until he's back--as we all know, 60 votes is key.
Update: Sherrod Brown just appeared on the Ed Show, taking a break from the meeting: "the bill goes where we want it to go," and "I like it." Tonight isn't a head count on 60 votes, but a chance to ask and answer questions. The meeting should go on for another hour or so. "We're close to getting them all voting" on the procedural vote to get it to the floor. "I feel good about my colleagues and the way they're going to go." On abortion: "We're Democrats, for gosh's sake. We should be expanding women's rights."