Joe Lieberman Says He'll Block Reid's Health Care Bill

(AP/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Updated at 5:30 p.m. ET with more information.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Tuesday that he would support a Republican filibuster of a health care bill that includes a public option.

Lieberman's comments confirm that Democrats in the Senate do not currently have enough votes to move forward the health care plan laid out on Monday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Other moderates in the Democratic Caucus, Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, would not commit today to ending a filibuster.

"If the bill remains what it is now, I will not be able to support a cloture motion before final passage," Lieberman said, reports CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen.

Over the past two weeks, Reid has led negotiations with Senate leaders over how to merge different health care plans into one bill for the entire Senate to debate. He announced Monday he would include in the bill a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option," in the bill but would also include a provision allowing states to opt out of the plan if they chose to do so.

The "opt-out public option" is perceived as a compromise by liberals, but it was unclear Monday whether it would win the support of all 60 members of the Democratic caucus, which includes Lieberman. Democrats do not need 60 votes to approve health care legislation -- they simply need 60 votes to block the expected Republican filibuster.

Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, the only Republican who may or may not support Democrats' health care plans, said Tuesday she would also support a filibuster of the bill as it currently stands, the Associated Press reports. Without Snowe's support, Reid cannot afford to lose any members of the Democratic caucus.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, the Democratic leaders who have been involved in shaping the Senate health care bill expressed confidence that they would be able to work through their party's remaining disputes to pass the bill.

"Joe Lieberman is the least of Harry Reid's problems," Reid said, adding that the Senate has yet to finalize its health care package. "We're not there yet. [Lieberman] will be involved in the amendment process."

Democratic Senators Chris Dodd, Max Baucus, Jay Rockefeller and Jeff Bingaman -- all a part of the health care deliberations -- praised Reid for his leadership.

"I'm so pleased we have a strong public option in this bill," Dodd said. "This is not easy, but [Reid] struck a balance. My hope is we can sustain that."

"I think the leader was very courageous to put [the public option] in," Rockefeller said. "I know in my soul, in my gut, that the momentum is moving in our direction."

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If the bill moves to a floor debate on the Senate, opponents of the public option are expected to try to strip the provision from the bill.

"What Sen. Reid's strategy requires, unless he can get to 60 votes without some of us [Democrats], is some very intensive negotiations once the floor debate begins," Lieberman said Tuesday.

Lieberman has said he opposes a public option because of the potential burden it could place on taxpayers. However, Democrats have crafted a public option that would be financed by premiums rather than federal funds.

Proponents of the public option are carefully watching other moderates in the Democratic caucus to see where they come down on the cloture vote. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), another senator who could potentially support a Republican filibuster, said today he has not yet decided what he will do, CBS News' Nolen reports.

"I haven't decided and can't decide [on cloture] until I've actually seen the physical bill, and I'm not going to be able to see that until it comes back from CBO having been scored," he said. "I'm looking for what the costing is on certain areas, and I'll make up my mind on the basis of that, I'm not establishing a line in the sand or a number. More important, as far as I'm concerned is, what actually is being covered and to what extent it is and how that generates costs."

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) said on Tuesday, "I've not promised anything to anybody," when it comes to cloture, Nolen reports.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), another key moderate, said Tuesday she is "skeptical" of Reid's proposed plan.

"As you know, I have not been a supporter of a national government run option, but I'm going to stay opened to principled compromise," she said. "My ultimate vote will be based on how much this bill bends the cost curve downward so the government can save money both at the state and federal level, so families pay less and businesses pay less."

Leaders in the House of Representatives said Tuesday that Reid's inclusion of the public option in the Senate bill will help persuade some moderates in House to support a public option, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer Jill Jackson reports. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he would like to introduce a bill in the full House this week.

Progressive political activists, who pressured Reid to include the public option in the bill, are now aiming to convince Nelson, Landrieu and other moderate senators to support a cloture vote.

Members of the "Netroots" group MoveOn who have donated to Nelson's campaign delivered a letter today to his state offices in Nebraska. "If Senator Nelson joins with Republicans to block an up-or-down vote on a health care reform bill, as a past supporter I will refuse to support Senator Nelson's re-election," the letter says. Donors in Arkansas will stage a similar event on Thursday at Lincoln's offices.

"We will continue to work with progressive leaders in both chambers to make sure that the bill that lands on the president's desk includes a robust public option available everywhere, makes certain that health care is affordable for working families and covers those most in need," Justin Ruben, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action said in a statement.

Watch today's Washington Unplugged below, where Bob Schieffer spoke with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) about the upcoming health care debate:

Watch CBS News Videos Online

[yogalady41]

I am not a Connecticut resident but I am begging those of you who are to recall Lieberman. He is out of control and is punishing the nation because of his ego. Help to protect our nation and those who need health care by recalling him. He has no business being in the senate.

[bart11114]

I've started a movement on Facebook called Recall Joe Lieberman, it's a movement to get the Connecticut General Assembly to pass a law that would allow a recall in Connecticut, and to get the Secretary of State of Connecticut to have a recall for Lieberman's senate seat. If you live in Connecticut please join. If you live in Connecticut but don't have a facebook get one.

[fss2009]

Republicans are the stupidest people on the planet. Even the Taliban has more sense than the Republicans. Talk about fringe crazies...

[rightbehind]

The republicans are betting that the voters will be upset at the democrats and stay home during the election and the republicans might pick up more seats. I'm personally going to vote even more republicans and hopefully yellow dog "reagan democrats" out of office. Going in to 2010 the real democrats need to cut the yellow dogs loose and tell them to take their chances with the republicans. They are like barnacles. We don't need them.

[the74blaster]

Well it looks as though Liberman is going to profit from this.

Lets start a recall of Liberman.

[rightbehind]

There you Go!! Need to get the ball rolling on that one! Connecticut needs to get the petitions going!

[Hank1000]

Very sad. Lieberman used to be an honorable representative. But his collusion with the insurance industry to kill ANY real competition is disheartening at least and evil as worst. He will lose the next election even if he thinks he can hide until 2014. He has no party and if the Democratic party allows him to keep his important Senate seats they are nuttier than he is.

While insurance companies fund slime, folks die for lack of care..nice going Senator, hope you don't mind presiding over America's version of the holocaust.

[stopoil]

Health care is a sad reflection on how little Americans care about other Americans.

[rightbehind]

Actually it's an example of stupidity as well. Health care insurance is a phony baloney republican created market that provides absolutely no service to the patient. They also eat up 1 of every 3 dollars spent on health care. First in line to collect to. It's unreal that the kooks think freedom is lining a health care insurance ceo pocket.

[stn_sage]

Yes it is! Very sad! And, there's plenty of stupidity and waste in the health care industry...no doubt!

[nirak2-2009]

Leave it up to Loserman to deny Americans healthcare.
What is he still doind in the caucus anyhow? He should be turfed out

[BuddyBeanbags]

Lieberman has sealed his fate... Connecticut will get rid of that butthole in his next election.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by earth5661 October 27, 2009 8:18 PM EDT
Well,
non-genuis...
============================

That's twice. SInce I don't know what a genuis is and I'm fairly sure there is no such thing, I guess I'm a non-non-genuis.

[stevex47]

Joe, get your hand out of the pocket of the insurance companies, and do what the American public is telling you.

[rightbehind]

The people of Connecticut should be looking at recalling him. He obviously is not representing the people who put him back in office. 68% of Connecticut want the public option. he's done. They should be recalling him. If i lived there I would looking for petitions to sign.