Nelson leans toward health debate

WASHINGTON - Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., seems to be leaning toward a vote in favor of bringing health care legislation up on the Senate floor.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is expected to unveil a health care bill later today that includes a new government-run health insurance option, with a vote on whether to begin debate on it later in the week.

Nelson opposes the public option, but said he could vote to begin debate even on a bill he disagrees with, if he believes it can be amended.

"If you don’t like the bill, then why would you block your own opportunity to amend it or to improve it? Why would you stop other senators from doing the job they’re elected to do - debate, consider amendments, take action on an issue affecting every American?" Nelson asked.

Nelson’s vote is key because it will require 60 votes to break a GOP filibuster of the legislation. Assuming the Republicans hold ranks, all 58 Democrats and two Independents must stick together in order to bring the bill up for debate under the normal process.

Nelson warned that if the initial motion to consider the bill fails to garner the required 60 votes, the White House and Senate leaders could resort to a parliamentary tactic knows as reconciliation that would require only 51 votes and would result in a more liberal bill.

"It just puts the administration into a decision as to whether to negotiate further at that point, or go right to reconciliation," Nelson said.

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