Senator: Don't count on me for 60th vote

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., is telling Senate leadership not to count on him to be the 60th vote needed for passing healthcare reform this year.

Nelson is seen as a key figure in the healthcare debate who can help ensure healthcare reform advances over procedural obstacles, The Hill reported Wednesday.

"I'm not going to commit anything at this point in time on procedural votes, neither pro nor con, because it will depend on the circumstances," he told the Washington publication. "I can't make those decisions in advance because it depends on what the bill is and what the circumstances are at the time."

Nelson, now in his second term, said he favors a triggered public option that would become effective if the private insurance market doesn't work, but adds, "My vote is not on autopilot."

The Hill analyzed the 2009 voting record of Democrats, finding Nelson breaks ranks the most on procedural motions. Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota follow Nelson in votes against procedural motions. Of the 91 procedural votes during the 111th Congress, Nelson defected 32 times.