I was one of the people who called Senator Durbin's office last week as part of the PCCC campaign. The staffer who spoke with me (at length) nearly convinced me that it was better not to have that amendment introduced in the Senate. I still insisted that she note my opinion as being in favor of taking the vote in the Senate regardless of the consequences, so we could see who is voting for and against once and for all.

Procedurally though, they're basically correct as once the bill comes to the Senate via the House reconciliation process it must be voted on as-is. If an amendment actually passes in the Senate (if the bill is changed from the House's reconciled version) then they would need 60 votes again in the Senate and then once again send it to the House. The reconciliation process can't be used to pass the bill in the Senate if it is changed after arrival from the House.

I didn't know this before, and the PCCC seems to agree that the focus must be on the House and Pelosi to include the public option in the reconciliation bill BEFORE it goes to the Senate.

So call your local congressperson and Pelosi ASAP to force them to change their minds. I'd recommend saying that if they don't include the public option you will be sure to donate to any/every primary challenge to a Democrat that you can and may vote 3rd party at the polls (regardless of whether you actually will or not, at least make them believe the threat). And I would also make it clear I wouldn't be donating to ANY sitting Democratic representative without a public option.