December 8, 2009

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement tonight:

“This has been a long journey.  We have confronted many hurdles, and tonight I believe we have overcome yet another one.

“I asked Senators Schumer and Pryor to work with some of the most moderate and most progressive members of our diverse caucus, and tonight they have come to a consensus.

“It is a consensus that includes a public option and will help ensure the American people win in two ways: one, insurance companies will face more competition, and two, the American people will have more choices.

“I know not all 10 Senators in the room agree on every single detail of this, nor will all 60 members of my caucus.  But I know we all appreciate the hard work that these progressives and moderates have done to move this historic debate forward.

“I want to thank Senators Schumer, Pryor, Brown, Carper, Feingold, Harkin, Landrieu, Lincoln, Nelson and Rockefeller for working together for the greater good and never losing sight of our shared goal: making it possible for every American to afford to live a healthy life.

“As is long-standing practice, we do not disclose details of any proposal before the Congressional Budget Office has a chance to evaluate it.  We will wait for that to happen, but in the meantime, tonight we are confident.”