Health Care

Democrats in Talks with Snowe

Once again reaching out to Maine moderates.

Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine acknowledged that she has had talks with Senate Democrats and Finance Committee Chair Senator Max Baucus of Montana about health-care reform. This follows earlier reports that Democrats were reaching out to the moderate Maine representatives following their loss of a 60-vote supermajority. Snowe said they were “just sorting through these issues, and the process, and what will unfold," and that she hopes Democrats would pursue legislation that was not so “breathtakingly expansive.” But it’s tough to figure out what exactly Snowe is thinking. Earlier, she voted to support the finance committee version of the bill—which is quite similar to the Senate bill—and then later said she objected to the pace at which the bill was being pushed through. Then she characterized the bill as “unconstitutional.” But whether they get Snowe on board or not, the move shows Democrats are keeping a wide variety of options open for passing health care.