Max Baucus Returns, Part 7

Democrats Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer put up a pair of public option amendments to the Baucus plan in the Finance Committee today, and Maxie killed them both.

The amendments by Democratic Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Charles Schumer of New York were opposed by all 10 Republicans on the committee and a few Democrats, including committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.

Baucus explained that he liked much about the idea of a public option but that he knew a health care bill containing the provision would fail to win enough support in the full Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster.

"I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year," Baucus said.

Let's review, class:

Democrats will have 60 votes once Ted Kennedy's replacement is sworn in.

Democrats will need 60 votes to beat a GOP filibuster.

There are Democrats that will not vote for cloture to stop the GOP filibuster on health care reform if a public option is included, one that will save Americans money. One of those Senators, and it only takes one, is Max Baucus. He was not the only one.

This is why millions of Americans will not get meaningful health care reform this year or any other year, because your Congress is owned by insurance companies.

What do you suppose voters should do about Max Baucus?

Class dismissed.

[UPDATE 4:53 PM] Your extra credit work is from Pam Spaulding.

[UPDATE 5:09 PM] D-Day runs down the roll call:

Here's the vote on the Rockefeller amendment: Rockefeller, Aye; Conrad, No; Bingaman, Aye; Kerry, Aye; Lincoln, No; Wyden, Aye; Schumer, Aye; Stabenow, Aye; Cantwell, Aye; Bill Nelson, No; Menendez, Aye; Carper, No; Grassley, No; Hatch, No, Snowe; No; Kyl, No; Bunning, No; Crapo, No; Roberts, No; Ensign, No; Enzi, No; Cornyn, No; Baucus, No.

8 Ayes, 15 Nos. Conrad, Lincoln, Bill Nelson, Carper and Baucus have been ferreted out. We'll see if anyone flips on the Schumer "level playing field" amendment. Given the debate on the prior amendment, I'd say that MAYBE Bill Nelson could go that route. Probably not anyone else.

Now we know which Democrats want to protect the insurance industry at the expense of people.

And on that Schumer Amendment?

..here's the vote: Schumer Aye; Rockefeller Aye; Bingaman Aye; Kerry Aye; Cantwell Aye; Stabenow Aye; Wyden Aye; Menendez Aye; Bill Nelson Aye; Baucus No; Conrad No; Carper Aye; Lincoln No; All R's no.

So Carper and Nelson flipped. Amendment fails 10-13. Only Lincoln, Conrad and Baucus against it.

Tom Carper of Delaware, Bill Nelson of Florida, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Max Baucus of Montana, folks. Owned by the insurance companies. They should be disowned by voters.