Freshman Senate Dems planning healthcare push

All nine of the Senate's Democratic freshmen have scheduled floor speeches Wednesday on healthcare reform as part of a broader, promotional push by the party.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) conceived the idea of speeches by the freshmen. A senior Democratic aide said all nine speeches will emphasize “the costs of inaction." The nine senators include Warner, Roland Burris of Illinois, Ted Kaufman of Delaware, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Mark Udall of Colorado, Al Franken of Minnesota, Mark Begich of Alaska, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Kay Hagen of North Carolina and Michael Bennet of Colorado.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters  Tuesday that the Democratic caucus will become "more heavily involved" in promoting healthcare once the Finance Committee releases its bill Wednesday.