Five leading Democrats–including Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin–have publicly announced that they will vote for a public option if it’s offered up during the budget reconciliation process, where legislation can pass with a majority vote.
“Sen. Durbin has long been a supporter of the public option,” reads a statement from Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker to the progressive groups Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, and Credo. “I don’t know whether the votes exist in the Senate right now, but if the House version of the public option came up for a vote in reconciliation Sen. Durbin would vote yes.”
I don’t think there was much of a question about whether he was willing, but whether he would go on record. As second in leadership for the Dems in the Senate this is a strong message. The last 21 will be tough, but it’s a possibility.