Casting its first votes on revamping the nation's health care system, the Senate rejected a Republican bid Thursday to stave off Medicare cuts and approved safeguards for coverage of mammograms and other preventive tests for women. The first round of votes ended with a fragile Democratic coalition hanging together.
Senators voted 58-42 to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have stripped more than $400 billion in Medicare cuts from the nearly $1 trillion measure. It would have sent the entire 2,074-page bill back to the Senate Finance Committee for a redo.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Reid plans noon session on Sunday
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that the Senate will come to session at noon on Sunday to keep working on healthcare reform.
In response to a question by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who wanted to know if members would have a chance to go to church Sunday morning, Reid said the upper chamber would be in session but not until the afternoon.
"I think it's very likely that we wouldn't come in until noon or somewhere around noon on Sunday," Reid said on the Senate floor.
Democrats have threatened to work through most weekends in December to push through healthcare legislation, hoping to pass something by the end of the year.
Republicans have sought to stretch out the debate.
SOURCE: The Hill
In response to a question by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who wanted to know if members would have a chance to go to church Sunday morning, Reid said the upper chamber would be in session but not until the afternoon.
"I think it's very likely that we wouldn't come in until noon or somewhere around noon on Sunday," Reid said on the Senate floor.
Democrats have threatened to work through most weekends in December to push through healthcare legislation, hoping to pass something by the end of the year.
Republicans have sought to stretch out the debate.
SOURCE: The Hill
Health Rope-a-Dope
It was a third straight day of testy debate on the floor, but no votes, as Democrats and Republicans struggled to agree on how best to proceed on the first amendments and motions offered by both parties.
[...] Dodd and Harkin both related the story of one Democrat saying that if there are U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, then the Senate can be in session, too, as it was clear that Democrats are growing frustrated with the slow developing health care debate.
[...] Finally on Wednesday evening, the two parties agreed to have a first series of votes on Thursday. All of the amendments will need 60 votes - in other words - a filibuster proof majority.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
[...] Dodd and Harkin both related the story of one Democrat saying that if there are U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, then the Senate can be in session, too, as it was clear that Democrats are growing frustrated with the slow developing health care debate.
[...] Finally on Wednesday evening, the two parties agreed to have a first series of votes on Thursday. All of the amendments will need 60 votes - in other words - a filibuster proof majority.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare
A new measure on the public option will be unveiled next week, which Senate Democratic leaders hope will break the logjam on healthcare reform.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been tapped by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to come up with a Plan B approach to the public option controversy that has divided Democrats, has been working closely with liberal and conservative Democrats, as well as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).
In an interview, Carper acknowledged that Reid’s “opt out” public option bill does not have 60 votes necessary for passage, even though it cleared a procedural hurdle last month.
If it attracts widespread support, the Carper measure could be added to Reid’s bill, which is expected to be debated on the Senate floor over the next several weeks.
Sensing that his bill may need changes, Reid recently called on Carper and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to come up with new legislative language on the hot-button issue of the public option.
SOURCE: The Hill
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been tapped by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to come up with a Plan B approach to the public option controversy that has divided Democrats, has been working closely with liberal and conservative Democrats, as well as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).
In an interview, Carper acknowledged that Reid’s “opt out” public option bill does not have 60 votes necessary for passage, even though it cleared a procedural hurdle last month.
If it attracts widespread support, the Carper measure could be added to Reid’s bill, which is expected to be debated on the Senate floor over the next several weeks.
Sensing that his bill may need changes, Reid recently called on Carper and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to come up with new legislative language on the hot-button issue of the public option.
SOURCE: The Hill
Senate takes first votes on health care
Three days after starting formal debate, the Senate has approved the first amendment to the $848 billion health care bill -- a measure that would expand preventative care for women.
On an 69-31 vote, the Senate approved an amendment to the legislation that would require insurance companies to cover certain procedures for women -- such as breast and cervical cancer screenings -- without charging co-payments.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
SOURCE: USA Today
On an 69-31 vote, the Senate approved an amendment to the legislation that would require insurance companies to cover certain procedures for women -- such as breast and cervical cancer screenings -- without charging co-payments.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
SOURCE: USA Today
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