Twice, efforts by Democrats to add a public option to health care legislation were defeated by the Senate Finance Committee today. Five Democrats joined all Republicans in the defeat of the first proposal, and three Dems joined the GOP to defeat the second one:
"The committee on Tuesday afternoon voted, 15 to 8, to reject an amendment proposed by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Democrat of West Virginia, to add a public option called the Community Choice Health Plan, an outcome that underscored the lack of support for a government plan among many Democrats.Mr. Baucus voted no, as did Senators Thomas R. Carper of Delaware, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, and Bill Nelson of Florida, joining all 10 Republicans in opposition.A second amendment by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, to create a different version of a public plan was also defeated, though by a closer margin, 13 to 10, with the added support of Mr. Carper and Mr. Nelson.Mr. Schumer who voted in favor of both proposals, said supporters of the public option would keep on fighting."
CNN's Rick Sanchez interviews Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) about the vote, and Howard Dean discusses the "enormous backlash" the Democrats will face if the public option ultimately fails, AFTER THE JUMP…
