blanche lincoln

Sen. Blanche Lincoln gives health care 60th vote with a catch
November 21 1:55 PMLA Legal ExaminerJames Hirsen
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Sen. Blanche Lincoln D-Ark.  (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais File)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas has given the 60th vote needed for the Senate health care bill to advance. The legislation will therefore come the floor for debate after Thanksgiving recess.
But Lincoln issued a warning to Senate Democrats.
She vowed to vote against the bill in the next major vote if the government-run plan the "public option" is not removed by the end of the amendment process.
“Although I don’t agree with everything in this bill I have concluded that I believe it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation’s health care system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away” Lincoln said.
She added “Attempts by the national Republican Party and other conservative groups to portray this as a vote for or against this particular health care reform bill is untrue.”
Lincoln repeatedly said that this vote was “not my last or only chance to have an impact.”
“I’m not thinking about my reelection the legacy of a president or whether Democrats or Republicans are going to be able to claim victory in winning this debate” she said in announcing her support to advance the bill to the Senate floor.
Reid is declaring victory but that celebration will be short lived if Lincoln actually blocks a bill that includes a government-run plan.
“Let me be perfectly clear” she said. “I am opposed to a new government administered health care plan as a part of comprehensive health insurance reform and I will not vote in favor of the proposal that has been introduced by leader Reid as it is written.”
  
 

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