CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
Nov. 20, 2009 – 1:54 p.m.
Senate Leaders ‘Not Assuming a Thing’ About Health Bill Vote
The Senate opened a two-day debate on its health care overhaul bill amid indications Friday morning that Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., is closing in on the 60 votes he needs to overcome an anticipated Republican filibuster and bring the measure to the floor.
“We’re not assuming a thing,” said Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. “We’re working hard to bring all Democrats together.”
Democratic leaders have been pressing holdouts to help move the legislation along. Reid has scheduled the pivotal procedural vote for Saturday at 8 p.m.
Senate Democrats and the Obama administration are focusing their efforts on two centrists — Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana — who are holding out for concessions on the overhaul plan Reid unveiled Nov. 18.
Ben Nelson of Nebraska, another much-courted swing vote, said Friday he would vote Saturday to move the health bill past the procedural hurdle, adding that he does not want to be an obstructionist.
Comments
I think any large spending bill will be bad for the Country and any recovery that is in motion. Any Elected offical that votes for increased spending should be ran out of office, brought up on charges of Fudicary irresponsabilty, treason and anything else they can throw at them.
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