Sign the petitionAlarming news: the public option could be dead within days, and we need Harry Reid to act fast to save it.1
A few conservative Democrats, including Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman, are threatening to block health care reform—all of it—if the rest of the Democratic Caucus doesn't agree to drop or weaken the public option.2
A tiny minority of conservatives could cut out the heart of reform, supported by 86% of Democrats. The latest news is that to appease them a weak compromise is being unveiled within days.3
But it doesn't have to be this way. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can still stop this, if he continues to fight. Reid has shown that he's willing to be a leader in fighting for the public option, and now we need him more than ever.
So we're sending an emergency petition to Senator Reid asking him to do everything in his power to persuade these senators to support real health care reform. Can you sign the petition to Harry Reid? Clicking here will add your name:
As Senate Majority Leader, Reid can apply pressure in a number of ways: call a vote to force conservative Democrats to stand up publicly with Republicans and Big Insurance to filibuster health care, strip them of their committee chairmanships or committee seats, or opt to pass health care through what's called the "reconciliation" process, which would let him pass the bill with a simple majority vote.
Sen. Reid has shown us in the past that he's willing to fight for the public option. And in this final showdown, we all need to stand stronger than ever. Sen. Reid needs to hear that, at this crucial time, we've got his back.
Can you sign the petition to Harry Reid today? Clicking here will add your name:
Thank you for all you do.
–Kat, Nita, Michael, Wes, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare," The Hill, December 1, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85349&id=18145-10220574-3_GSbVx&t=5
2. "Lieberman: Sure, I'd Filibuster A Health Care Reform Bill With A Public Option," Talking Points Memo, October 27, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85376&id=18145-10220574-3_GSbVx&t=6
"Lieberman: More Dems could join public option filibuster," The Hill, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85377&id=18145-10220574-3_GSbVx&t=7
"Ben Nelson threatens filibuster," Politico, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85378&id=18145-10220574-3_GSbVx&t=8
3. "Most in U.S. want public health option: poll," Reuters, December 3, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc07/idUSTRE5B20OL20091203
"Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare," The Hill, December 1, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85349&id=18145-10220574-3_GSbVx&t=9
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