Senate Finance Committee Republicans and Democratic moderates are asking for more time to consider their vote on the health overhaul proposal, once the Congressional Budget Office "scores" the bill.
CongressDaily: "Finance Chairman Max Baucus expects to get CBO scores soon, possibly today, on his committee's proposal. Timing for a vote in his panel will depend on what those scores reveal about the cost of his measure and whether it remains deficit-neutral after the committee's modifications. Eight moderate Democrats further complicated the floor effort Tuesday by asking Reid to post on the Internet for 72 hours the full legislative text of a final bill and complete CBO scores 'prior to the first vote to proceed on health reform legislation'" (Edney and Friedman, 10/7).
Roll Call: "Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) penned a letter to Reid calling for a 72-hour waiting period and a completed cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office before he moves to proceed on any health care bill" (Pierce, 10/6).
The Washington Post: "The Republicans want Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Elmendorf and Chief of Staff to the Joint Committee on Taxation Thomas Barthold to be present for the vote," to be able to ask questions. The 10 Finance Committee Republicans sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus of Montana on Tuesday. Baucus said through a spokesman that both had already been invited to attend the vote (Lovenheim, 10/6).