Ensign will publicly fight Reid’s health proposal

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., says he'll going to work hard to drum up opposition to a health reform bill that's favored by fellow Nevadan Democrat Harry Reid.

In an interview Ensign said he's planning to hold open-forum town hall meetings in northern and southern Nevada next month.

He said the first forum is planned for Las Vegas on Jan 8, although the details haven't yet been finalized.

"The goal is to raise awareness. Obviously we'll make it open to the press, open to the public," Ensign said of the event.

He says Republicans will work to undermine Reid's efforts to put major health reform legislation into law by targeting senators and members of the House of Representatives who voted in favor of reform but live in districts where voters are skeptical of the plan.

Each house of Congress narrowly approved its own version of reform that need to be reconciled in conference committee.

Ensign says changes to either side's version could prompt supporters to jump ship and torpedo the effort, which is being led by Reid, the senate majority leader.

"He has also got difficulties because the house is much more liberal than the senate is. Will he be able to get the house to swallow what the senate did?," Ensign said of Reid.

In Nevada Democratic Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus and Sen. Reid voted in favor of reform. Republican Rep. Dean Heller and Ensign opposed.