Overcoming the threat of a filibuster, the Senate Democratic majority advanced the health care bill to the full Senate on Saturday. The vote was 60-39, along party lines. Debate can now begin on the bill, which is expected to begin next week. Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio missed the vote.
It was an unusual Saturday night session of the Senate. The spectator galleries were full. Applause broke out briefly when the vote was announced. Senators sat quietly in their seats, standing only when they were called upon to vote, showing the solemnity and significance of the vote.
The debate in the full Senate will not begin until after Thanksgiving. Expectations are that the bill, which is designed to extend coverage to roughly 31 million Americans, who lack it, as well crack down on insurance company practices that deny benefits based on pre-existing conditions and other such loopholes will face a contentious, long fight.
The legislation faces weeks of battle. There will be debate after debate, and proposed amendment after proposed amendment.
The vote showed the criticality of the seating of Minn. Senator Al Franken (D). Without a full 60 votes, including both Independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, the bill could not have passed the filibuster challenge.
Even if the Senate manages to pass a bill, a congressional conference committee would be needed to merge the separate House and Senate legislation into a consensus package. That would then require final approval from both houses of Congress before moving to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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