UPDATED: Grassley: ‘no hard timeline’ on healthcare reform

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was unable to give a definite timetable on bipartisan healthcare reform legislation when asked about it this afternoon.

Grassley, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, responded to an inquiry from ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Twitter.

Here is the exchange:

@ChuckGrassley. Hi Sen. G Steph here. How much have talks slowed? Can bipartisan bill reach floor by August recess?

@gstephanopolus G steph bipart talks cont. No hard timeline More thn 17 pct of economy Need to do right With a lot of support

Senators from both parties have been engaged in heated debate over the cost and nature of healthcare reform. The two most contentious issues with respect to reform legislation are its cost estimate and whether or not it will include a public option.

With the Democrats now claiming a 60 seat majority in the Senate, the party’s leadership is also deciding how aggressively they will pursue Republican votes on the bill.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has been cautious not to rely his supermajority because centrist Democrats could split from their party on the vote.

The White House yesterday re-affirmed its support for a bill that includes a public option.

The healthcare reform bill is still in markup in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

UPDATED 6:19pm: Grassley responded to a follow-up asked by Stephanopoulos, tweeting:

@CharlesGrassley. Thanks Senator. Still think you can devise co-op that public option advocates can accept?

@gstephanopoulos co-op possibility if rules same as for other plans and txpayers not on hook. No one can afford another fannie or freddie

Once again, Grassley being very careful with his answers.