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SEN. DICK DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: The Finance Committee goes into a markup and then is given to the majority leader to blend with the health bill, and then bring to floor count (ph) the days. And either we're going to go into overtime, which is always a possibility, or have to face the prospect of doing it after August.

DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Really? You think it's possible that you'll stick around until you get it done?

DURBIN: Well, I'm going to leave that really to Senator Baucus and Senator Reid. I mean, our goal is to get this done and get it done right. And I hope that the Finance Committee efforts will bear some fruit soon.

OK? BASH: Can I just ask you one more question, Senator?

Did the president do enough last night to give you all specifics? I mean, everybody here is sort of toying with lots of ideas, particularly on the issue of how to pay for this reform. And there seems to be some concern that he's not being aggressive or specific enough in saying what he wants.

DURBIN: You know, it's hard for the president to write the bill. I mean, it's our responsibility, the House and the Senate, to write the bill.

The president can help us when we run into obstacles and problems. He stated, I think, clearly, that he does not favor the idea of taxing the individual benefits. That was an issue that was raised last week. But, you know, we, with his help and with his guidance when it gets to tough parts, it's our job to write these bills.

OK?

BASH: Thank you, sir. Thanks for stopping, Senator.

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