Ben Nelson: I’ll Block a Health Care Bill That Includes a Public Option
Sen. Ben Nelson, the conservative-leaning Nebraska Democrat, vowed to filibuster health reform legislation if it includes a public health insurance plan, ABC News reported yesterday.
“Well, first of all, it has more than a robust public option, it’s got a totally government-run plan, the costs are extraordinary associated with it, it increases taxes in a way that will not pass in the Senate and I could go on and on and on,” Nelson said in an interview that is part of ABC News’ Subway Series with Jonathan Karl.
“Faced with a decision about whether or not to move a bill that is bad, I won’t vote to move it,” he added. “For sure.”
Nelson here is following in the footsteps of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who announced last month that he also would join Republicans in filibustering the Democrats’ health reform bill if it contains a public option, as party leaders have said there will be. As a result, Lieberman has become the target of liberal protesters, some of whom are idling in jail awaiting a talk with the senator. Nelson might want to consider locking his office door.
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