Schumer Reports "Assurances" SHOP and CEPA Will Pass, Needs Votes from Specter and Snowe

I caught up with Senator Schumer (D-NY) outside of Collins Dining hall on CMC's campus today, and we discussed the controversial SHOP and CEPA Acts. SHOP is legislation designed to expand health care, while CEPA is a cap-and-trade bill similar to legislation the Senate has tried to pass numerous times.

In order for both bills to pass, democrats will need to pick up two republican votes, most likely from moderate Senators Snowe (R-MN) and Specter (R-PN).

Last night, the new Majority Leader told me, "I'm concerned that Senators Snowe and Specter may not be voting on this act. I implore them to look at the text of the bill and remember that their constituents voted decisively for this kind of change in November," referring to a strong turnout for President Obama in Pennsylvania and Maine. He continued, "I think if they look at polling specifically on health care and environmental legislation in their states they will see there is strong support for both Cap-and-Trade initiatives and expansion of health care."

The Senator added, "Senator Snowe sponsored legislation comparable to SHOP on previous occasions" and "Ultimately I'm confident in Senatore Snowe, seeing as she's voted for expansion of health care as well as regulatory reforms on numerous prior occasions."

Today, Schumer seemed confident he would pick up the necessary votes, saying he had "assurances" from Minority Leader McConnell the legislation would pass. Just how the Republicans will benefit from this remains to be seen, and will ultimately be unveiled tonight on the Senate floor.

"I think they'll see the light of day. I have great faith in my colleagues in Maine and Pennsylvania," Schumer concluded.