The White House is encouraging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) "to cut a deal with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and eliminate the proposed Medicare expansion in the health reform bill," Politico reports.
"But Reid is described as so frustrated with Lieberman that he is not ready to sacrifice a key element of the health care bill, and first wants to see the Congressional Budget Office cost analysis of the Medicare buy-in. The analysis is expected early this week."
Said a White House official: "There is a weariness and a lot of frustration that one person is holding up the will of 59 others. There is still too much anger and confusion at one particular senator's reversal."
Meanwhile, Roll Call reports Senate Democrats plan to meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. for another special caucus on health care reform.
Update: Greg Sargent reports the White House denies pressuring Reid.