Senate Finance Comm. defeated Rockefeller public option amendment

By a vote of 8 - 15, the Senate Finance Committee just defeated Senator Rockefeller's public option amendment. This was the strongest public option language being considered today. All of the Republicans voted no. The Democrats voting no were: Baucus (MT), Conrad (ND), Lincoln (AR), Nelson (FL) and Carper (DE).

The committee is now considering another version of a public option amendment offered by Senator Schumer. This one intends to provide a "level playing field" (meaning no competitive edge) for the public plan.