Centrists Jockey for Next Phase

Senate health care talks entered a crucial stage Tuesday as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) was drawn deeper into the negotiations, Democratic moderates jockeyed to position themselves, and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) prepared to make some tough decisions.

Snowe began working closely with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) this week, and the two met jointly with Reid on Monday and convened a group of six centrists — including fellow GOP moderate Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) — Tuesday afternoon to talk about health care.

With Reid aiming to finalize the merger of the Finance Committee package and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill this week, both Snowe and Nelson said they were looking to shape the final product in hopes of supporting it.

SOURCE: Roll Call