WASHINGTON — Republican leaders are getting some home-state help in their attempts to pressure Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., to block consideration of the health care bill.
In recent floor speeches, press conferences and phone calls with reporters, Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., has repeatedly focused on defining a procedural vote that determines whether debate begins as the key vote.
That vote is expected Saturday.
Republicans are expected to rally all 40 of their senators to block the legislation from advancing, requiring Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to keep all 60 members of his Democratic caucus in line.
The measure would extend coverage to 31 million Americans and reform insurance practices while adding an array of tax increases, including a rise in payroll taxes for high earners.
Johanns has characterized a vote to move forward with the health care debate as a vote in favor of federally funded abortions. That's because the Senate bill does not include the same restrictions approved by the House.
“Some of my colleagues would argue that if we don't like the bill, we must not block the opportunity to amend it,” Johanns said Thursday during a floor speech. “Therefore they would say we should vote for the motion to proceed. I don't think any pro-life senator could take that position.”
Just the day before, Nelson had said a vote enabling the Senate to proceed to debate was not a vote in favor of the bill. “If you don't like the bill, then why would you block your own opportunity to amend it or to improve it?”
Johanns denied any effort to pressure Nelson specifically and said he has not discussed any such efforts with Republican leaders. The Senate includes other moderate Democrats who campaigned on pro-life platforms, Johanns said.
Nelson opposes several parts of the Senate bill, including its approach to abortion, but has suggested he might vote to start debate and then work to change the bill.
But Johanns said the initial vote will be the “last chance to protect life” because not enough senators would support amendments to include the House provision. He pointed out that even one defection by a Senate Democrat could prevent the debate from starting.
Iowa's two senators, liberal Democrat Tom Harkin and conservative Republican Chuck Grassley, frequently take opposing positions, including on the health care bill, but don't often appear to target the other's position publicly.
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said Johanns' floor speech must have been aimed at Nelson, who Republicans hope will be the critical vote that prevents the start of debate.
“Who else would Johanns be talking about?” Sabato said. “I don't think the other pro-life Democrats, and there aren't many, would feel especially pressured by anything Johanns said. ... Johanns knows that he's the one person in the Senate who can generate a lot of headlines that cause problems for Nelson.”
Nelson said Thursday he takes Johanns at his word when he says he's not trying to pressure Nelson. “I'm not interested in an argument with my colleague from Nebraska.”
This report includes material from the Washington Post.
