FDL Action: Whip It! Day 8

Lots of good feedback from FDL readers about what they’re hearing from the Hill on the public option. Keep it coming folks! Here is a sample of the kind of info we’re getting:

Tom F. reached Eliot Engel:

"Staffer said that Engel strongly supports a public option but would not commit to voting against a bill without one. I urged him to make that commitment"

John C. reached Jay Inslee’s office:

"Talked with James, who admitted they were getting calls. He gave me the usual speel that Inslee is on record as being in favor of the "public option." I did not get the sense from James that he understand the vitalness of available nationwide, on day one and accountable. I encouraged him to go to FDL to look at our whip tool. I also told him Jane had mentioned Inslee by name in her most recent post."

Kathryn reached Jan Schakowsky’s office:

"I asked if she would support Congresswomen Woolsey and vote no on a bill without a robust public option and without hesitation she said YES!!! So Jan will vote no."

Florindo T. reached Jerry Nadler’s office:

Jerry won’t pledge to vote against a bill that doesn’t contain the 3 points. Ilan Kayatsky claims it’s irresponsible to commit to the hypothetical.

Andrew G. reached Maurice Hinchey’s office:

"I spoke with an intern Toby. She confirmed that he is on record as being for a national, single-payer health system (its also on his website). I asked if she thought he was committed to a public option to the degree that the lack of one would be a deal breaker. She thought he was leaning that way but took my email to have someone get back to me officially. I’ll report in again as soon as I hear from them."

Kathryn C. reached John Lewis’ office:

"The Aide was unsure of his position on voting no. He said that Congressman Lewis supports a robust public option, but that he hasn’t made up his mind on voting no."

We’re working on getting confirmation from Schakowsky’s office before switching her. If someone from her office wants to confirm or deny, we’d love to hear from you.

Use Our Citizen Count Whip Tool