He may doubt the Senate's ability to pass health care reform legislation before the August recess, but he's optimistic that the Senate Finance Committee can move legislation soon.

"We'll be in markup in the Finance Committee next week," he said, according to Jeff Young of The Hill.

Conrad has been a pessimist, of sorts, since the Finance Committee began drafting legislation. He has been outspoken about his doubts that the Senate will endorse a public option, that Congress can pass health care reform through the reconciliation process, and now that the Senate will meet it's August deadline to pass health care reform legislation. But on his own committee's ability to finally mark up a bill, he's sounding more sanguine.