Drawing the Line

Lieberman Won't Filibuster After All

Has "private understanding" with Reid on health reform.

A week after declaring that he would help a Republican filibuster of Democrat-sponsored health-care legislation if there were a public option, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has apparently signaled privately to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that he will not block a vote. Sources told The Hill that Lieberman has affirmed that he will vote with Democrats to end the debate, and his threat of filibuster is likely a tactic to "get some stuff for himself"—or his constituents, including several major insurance companies based out of Connecticut. Democrats want Lieberman's support because it likely represents the necessary 60th vote that would end debate in the Senate, and many supporters of health-care reform say that he will vote with Democrats when the time comes, despite his statements to the contrary. Says Reid, simply: "I trust Sen. Joe Lieberman."