A mere handful of wobbling Democratic Senators must be persuaded to stop, block, filibuster, the Health Care Reform. The following are considered key Senators: people who will go either way.
Reid has NO margin for error: he has to get ALL 60 Dems in order to put the bill on the floor.
Here's the key concept: Urge these Senators to Vote No on any "procedural vote" to "move to the health bill."
This will happen Friday or Saturday!
We don't want the bill even to make it to the floor!
Ben Nelson (D NE)
Strong abortion opponent …Against Big Government, the "public option"…Fiscal conservative…Quote: "Faced with a decision about whether or not to move a bill that is bad, I won't vote to move it," he told ABC News. "For sure."
Use: City Omaha, Zip Code 68108 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (402)
Blanche Lincoln (D Ark)
Member of the Senate Finance Committee…Voted twice against making the "public option" part of the bill…Facing tough re-election, eager to display her conservative credentials in a state that was handily carried by Sen. John McCain… probably won't even agree to let the bill be debated on the Senate floor.
Use: City Little Rock, Zip Code 72291 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (501)
Joe Lieberman (I CT)
Independent but caucuses with the Democrats… has threatened to filibuster against public option. ..Quote: “I would use the power I have as a single senator to stop a final vote," he said in a recent televised interview.
Use City Hartford, Zip Code 06160 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (860)
Sen. Susan Collins (R Maine)
Could go either way…One of just three Republican lawmakers to cross party lines and vote for the Recovery Act (a.k.a. Federal Stimulus Package) …voted in favor of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2)…but although pro-“reform”, she is on record as being against (quote) "billions of dollars in new taxes and fees that will drive up the cost of health insurance premiums." The whole bill should be re-written, Collins said, according to the New York Times.
Use City Augusta, Zip Code 04330 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (207)
Robert Casey (D PA)
On record as an opponent of abortion, from a very pro-life district…
Use City Erie, Zip Code 16501 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (814)
Evan Bayh (D IN)
Concerned about tax on medical-device makers in the current legislation…Indiana is the third-biggest state for jobs in the medical device sector, with currently some 63,000 Indiana residents working in that field….Quote: "I want to know what works for families and small businesses."
Bayh says medical devices fee would "seriously threaten thousands of American jobs and deter innovation in the industry."
Use city Indianapolis, Zip Code 46201 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (317)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D LA)
Often “on the fence” about issues…Mixed voting record on Abortion, rated 43% by NARAL (pro-abortion) and 50% by NRLC (pro-life)…Favors letting some states try "trigger" mechanisms that would create a public option if residents don't have enough insurance choices (needs to be vehemently argued out of this fallback position)…Quote "I'm not for a government-run, national, taxpayer-subsidized plan, and never will be."
Use city New Orleans, Zip Code 70141 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (504)
Roland Burris (D IL)
A bit quirky and cantankerous, Burris' willingness to bend could prove crucial if Reid needs every possible vote in crafting a compromise, such as a national public option that is triggered if certain insurance availability targets aren't met. Or might favor a public option “offered by states, not feds.” Or “might” be pushed to favor no on the bill altogether. Push him to say NO, JUST NO! At age 72, Burris has virtually nothing to lose by defying his party's leaders and voting as he pleases.
Use city Kankakee, Zip Code 60901 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (815)
Reid does not plan on keeping the "Stupak-Pitts" pro-life amendment in the Senate version of the bill. He is expected to take up the House bill, and then replace it with a "Senate substitute" which will fund elective abortions. He is also in hot water about the "public option," with some Dem Senators saying they won't vote for the bill WITH public option, and some (on the Left) saying they won't vote for the bill WITHOUT it.
This is our chance to stop it dead.
Thanks !!!
Mrs. Prince of Space
I hope your right but skeezy reid will go nuclear. Nevertheless the GOP better give them NO political cover.
This is going to pass just like the house
THIS IS WHAT I SENT TO BEN NELSON (NE)
Everyday when I drive to work I look out at the vast openess of our beautiful state and I thank God that my childern and theirs will live in freedom here. My concern is that the current Healthcare reform bill being debated in Congress is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back, fiscally speaking, and that a vast entitlement that currently doesn’t exist will be handed out to the masses. I teach my children as I know you must teach yours that we make our way in this world through honest hard work, courage and commitment, a trillion dollars is inexcuasably expensive to muck up the best heatlh care system on the planet. Senator don’t make my children debtors, please keep them free. Vote no on this monstrosity. We are counting on you.
Thanks, this is useful information.