Sen. Ben Nelson still uncommitted on Senate health bill vote

Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), one of three centrists Democrats who have not pledged to support a critical test vote on healthcare reform Saturday, again declined to declare his intentions Thursday.

But Nelson vowed he would not keep Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) waiting until the last minute.

"I’m not looking to delay it. As soon as I’ve gotten through the review, I’ll be ready to do something," Nelson told reporters. Questioned whether he might make an announcement Thursday, Nelson said: "Could be."

"You should keep asking me," he said.

Nelson continues to have concerns that the bill does not go far enough to prevent federal money from paying for abortions, he said. "There are other issues that I’m concerned about that I’m not particularly supportive of," Nelson added, such as the creation of a government-run public option insurance program.

Nelson and Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu (La.) and Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) remain question marks as the Senate heads toward a Saturday vote on a procedural motion that would advance the healthcare bill. WIth all 40 Republicans solidly against the legislation, Reid needs the support of all 58 Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them if he is to prevail.

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