Five Democrats have signed a discharge petition to force a vote on a measure changing House rules to require that legislation be posted for 72 hours online before a vote.

Democratic Reps. Walt Minnick (Idaho), Brian Baird (Wash), Dan Boren (Okla.), Parker Griffith (Ala.) and Gene Taylor (Miss.) have all signed the petition, which had over 115 signatures by Friday morning.

If the petition gains 218 signatures, it would force a vote on the bill. That means Republicans would have to gain another 36 signatures.

As of Friday morning, 178 lawmakers had signed on to the petition.

It is uncommon for lawmakers to sign a discharge petition to force their leaders into scheduling a vote, as it is seen as a rebuke of leadership.

“It’s not my intention to embarrass anyone,” said Minnick. He said he was optimistic the measure would be scheduled for a vote regardless of the petition.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday offered support for waiting 72 hours after the House healthcare bill is released to lawmakers before scheduling a vote.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), would require legislative text to be posted online for a minimum of 72 hours so that lawmakers, the public and journalists have time to read bills before the House votes on them.

Five Democrats have signed a discharge petition to force a vote on a measure changing House rules to require that legislation be posted for 72 hours online before a vote.

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Democratic Reps. Walt Minnick (Idaho), Brian Baird (Wash), Dan Boren (Okla.), Parker Griffith (Ala.) and Gene Taylor (Miss.) have all signed the petition, which had over 115 signatures by Friday morning.

Here are the links to the news stories about the event and some pictures.

http://www.kabb.com/news/   its under Health Care Reform Town Hall

http://www.mysa.com   look in the slideshows Charles Gonzalez health care town hall and Lamar Smith health care town hall

http://www.kens5.com/latestnews/stories/KENS20090824-lamarsmithtownhall.111b9bbab.html

http://www.ksat.com/video/20537133/index.html

http://sanantonioteaparty.org/event-pictures/?album=1&gallery=9

This is from an email that Moveon  is sending out to their members.  (the highlighting is mine)

Have you read the stories this week declaring the public health insurance option dead? Well, it’s not.

The public option has the support of 83% of the American people,¹ (Take a look at this carefully.  It’s from JUNE 15th!!!  Only 43% now support it Click here for poll) and enough progressives in the House to block any bill without it.^2,3 And contrary to what you may have read, the White House has said repeatedly their position hasn’t changed.^4,5

But there is real danger in the Senate, where conservatives have stepped up efforts to kill the public option.

Can you call Senators Kay Hutchison and John Cornyn right away? Tell them that you, along with the majority of Americans, strongly support a public health insurance option—it’s the heart of real reform.

Here’s where to call:

Senator Kay Hutchison
District Offices:
Abilene: 325-676-2839
Austin: 512-916-5834
Dallas: 214-361-3500
Harlingen: 956-425-2253
Houston: 713-653-3456
San Antonio: 210-340-2885

Senator John Cornyn
District Offices:
Austin: 512-469-6034
Dallas: 972-239-1310
Harlingen: 956-423-0162
Houston: 713-572-3337
Lubbock: 806-472-7533
San Antonio: 210-224-7485
Tyler: 903-593-0902

1. “New Poll Shows Tremendous Support for Public Health Care Option,” Blog for Our Future, June 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51510&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=2

2. “60 Members of Congress Say ‘No Public Plan, No Conference,’” Firedoglake, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51764&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=3

3. “Weiner says health plan without public option won’t fly,” The Examiner, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51765&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=4

4. “White House Issues Q&A on Health Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51770&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=5

5. “White House Insists ‘Nothing Has Changed’ on Public Health Insurance Option,” ABC News, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51768&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=6

6. “White House Issues Q&A on Health Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51770&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=7

7. “Joint health care reform debate remains peaceful in Dallas,” Dallas Morning News, August 18, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51772&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=8

8. “Alternate Plan as Health Option Muddies Debate,” The New York Times, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51773&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=9

9. “Hundreds urge Polis to keep fighting for ‘public option,’” KDVR, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51771&id=16878-17235110-fdrceox&t=10