Dems Get 60 Votes on Health Care Bill During 1:00 am Vote

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:21:00 AM EST
Tags: health care reform bill (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Update: 1:17 am ET: The Dems get their 60 votes to limit debate. Yeas: 60, Neas: 40. The Yeas were 58 Dems and 2 Independents. The motion is agreed to.

Update: 1:10 am ET: The vote to limit debate on the Reid Manager's amendment is underway. They just wheeled Sen. Byrd in. The schedule if it passes:

Tues: 7am: procedural vote
Weds: 1pm procedural vote
Thursday 7 pm - Final passage

The Senate will vote on the health care bill in an hour, at 1:00 a.m. ET. David Shuster will be anchoring live on MSNBC.

Debate has begun, you can watch it on C-span here. [More...]

Our local news is calling it a test vote, and it's just the first of three the Senate needs to pass the bill. It's called a Cloture Vote on the Manager's Amendment.

Here's the schedule for what follows, through Christmas Eve. And then what happens in the House? Some possibilities here.

< Martha Coakley's Bait and Switch on Abortion | Prisoner Abuse Legislative Fix Introduced >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Dems Get 60 Votes on Health Care Bill During 1:00 am Vote | 55 comments (55 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Now speaking (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Steve M on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:25:31 PM EST

the indefatigable Tom Harkin, taking it to the GOP. That guy never runs out of steam.

He gave a similar speech earlier (none / 0) (#3)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:26:12 PM EST

(Yes, I've been watching all night. . .)


But what I really want to know is (none / 0) (#5)
by Steve M on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:31:30 PM EST

how can I tell by looking at a camera if it is auto-focus?


heh, I have no idea (none / 0) (#6)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:35:09 PM EST

but what I can tell you is that the cameras in the room are controlled remotely. They're a bit aged at this point.


Someone in the TL community (none / 0) (#7)
by Steve M on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:35:50 PM EST

will surely know the answer to my question.


nycstray makes me think (none / 0) (#9)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:37:21 PM EST

that you might have been talking about consumer electronics. Most still cameras have it, you just have to to a half-press first.


: I have no idea what he was talking about (none / 0) (#10)
by nycstray on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:42:27 PM EST

but I know where the little symbol is on cameras :)

There's usually a little symbol on it ;) (none / 0) (#8)
by nycstray on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:36:02 PM EST

Good that you're watching (none / 0) (#25)
by cal1942 on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:56:10 PM EST

so that others don't have to listen to Mitch McConnell.


He's not even the worst. . . (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:56:45 PM EST

Harry Reid (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by Jeralyn on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:06:11 AM EST

is even duller.


: Dull, but (none / 0) (#41)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:28:09 AM EST

the intelligence level is vastly higher. McConnell just sounds like a whiny little baby. It's all about process, not content.

Mitch "nuclear option" McConnell (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:46:35 PM EST

is such a hypocrite.

: Future Historians (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by cal1942 on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:52:37 PM EST

will have a blast with McConnell.

: Really! (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:31:23 AM EST

His speech tonight is just pathetic. Not going to make the hightlight reels for the right wing, that's for sure. The GOPers I've head so far just sound panicky.

McConnell Just Lies (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:50:41 PM EST

He says the bill will force millions of people off their plans and fund abortions. What planet is he on and how does he get away with this?

I may not be enamored of the bill but there's no reason to lie about it.

The truth about the bill is bad enough (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by caseyOR on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:52:49 PM EST

No reason for Mitch to lie. There is plenty in this bill to dislike.


To the former, he's talking about (none / 0) (#23)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:52:53 PM EST

Medicare Advantage. As to the latter, I think he's raising the issue I considered yesterday: the national OPM plan might well include abortion coverage.


Union workers also if taxing (none / 0) (#30)
by MO Blue on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:01:04 AM EST

their coverage remains in the final legislation.


Well, they won't exactly lose it (5.00 / 2) (#31)
by andgarden on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:02:13 AM EST

but it might get worse. The excise tax is really a questionable mechanism.


: Technically the seniors with Medicare (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by MO Blue on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:11:13 AM EST

Advantage and the union workers are in the same situation. Both groups will not be able to keep the coverage that they have now.

Mc Cain was terrible earlier (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by Manuel on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:57:04 PM EST

I am so glad he isn't our president.

we should give thanks every day (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by Jeralyn on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:07:03 AM EST

he's not our president.


Well so am I (5.00 / 4) (#35)
by Teresa on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:09:33 AM EST

but it sure doesn't make me feel any better to watch our party throw away the chance we had for health care reform. The only way it will help me will be after I lose everything I own. I'm glad for the poor that they will have health care but it doesn't do a thing for me or the issues I have.

They ALL make me sick. The Republicans make me sicker but I am positive if they were the party in power, they wouldn't have compromised everything away that they wanted.

I have become what I always hated - one of those that criticizes my own party. I don't care if most of them lose next time and that's just sad.


: It's not a single unified party (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Manuel on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:42:23 AM EST

It's more like a confederation, a three legged race run by octopuses. Its amazing they can get it together to get anything done.

They've got the votes, as predicted (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by andgarden on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:17:44 AM EST

Good thing (5.00 / 10) (#42)
by Spamlet on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:29:03 AM EST

the President worked so hard to get Olympia Snowe on board.

It is funny (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by Steve M on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:34:11 AM EST

in the House, when a big vote passes, there is much hooting and hollering.

in the Senate, you have Harry Reid morosely noting the absence of a quorum amidst a deafening silence.

The People's House (none / 0) (#47)
by cal1942 on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:37:06 AM EST

n/t


Byrd got a polite applause (none / 0) (#50)
by andgarden on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:46:56 AM EST

on his Saturday appearance.


While tending to be (none / 0) (#51)
by CoralGables on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:56:21 AM EST

both serene and more stodgy, the upper chamber probably also possesses a higher on average IQ.

The very nature of gerrymandering for House seats lends itself to creating a polarizing angry body of blowhards.


: Serene, stodgy polarizing body of blow hards (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by MO Blue on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:09:17 AM EST

in the upper chamber rather than a polarizing angry body of blow hards in the House. What a deal.

: Evidence for this is . . . ? (none / 0) (#52)
by Spamlet on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:01:44 AM EST

the upper chamber probably also possesses a higher on average IQ
And even if that were true, does high IQ automatically translate into superior political skill?

: I think the differences are overstated (none / 0) (#53)
by andgarden on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:06:06 AM EST

It's mostly a same pool of people. And I think regional differences weaken the impact of gerrymandering in the House.

If everyone can show up, they'll get their 60 (none / 0) (#1)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:24:39 PM EST

What's really unprecedented is how the Republicans are running out the clock on this.

Yet another reason why reconciliation was the right call.

: Joe L. on camera (none / 0) (#4)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:26:58 PM EST

He's back to vote. So now it's only a question of whether Byrd can be wheeled in.

Mitch McConnell (none / 0) (#11)
by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:42:38 PM EST

is on: "If they were proud of this bill, they wouldn't be forcing the vote in the dead of night."

Why are they voting at 1 am?

The 30 hr clock for the next vote (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:45:39 PM EST

can only start after this one. The Republicans have denied all unanimous consent requests to allow the vote to be held at a more humane hour. that's after they made the clerks spend all of Saturday reading the Manager's amendment.


It is necessary (5.00 / 3) (#15)
by Steve M on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:46:39 PM EST

in order to hold a vote on final passage by Christmas.

It is amazing that the party which has engaged in unprecedented obstruction on this bill is whining about the scheduling that they themselves forced, but that's the GOP for you.


Yup (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:48:07 PM EST

They're very transparent in the obstruction. Harkin called them out on it earlier.


: Dems need to be (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:29:15 AM EST

much louder about this!

Time constraints and deadlines (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by caseyOR on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:47:15 PM EST

I believe there are a number of hoops through which they must jump to get to the final vote. And Harry Reid wants this finished by Christmas Day. And the Repubs are using every stalling tactic they have. So, votes at all hours are to be the norm until this is done.


That's what I wanted to know (none / 0) (#12)
by nycstray on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:43:46 PM EST

perhaps they are still storm stranded and bored?


Best line today about this mess of a bill (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Cream City on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:52:12 PM EST

amid Washington's wintry weather:

Hell did freeze over.


: lol!~ (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by nycstray on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:00:04 AM EST

First availability of Whiny Joe? (none / 0) (#34)
by Ellie on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:08:25 AM EST

Because it's just after Chanukkah and/or he's about to be taken by the alien mothership.


McConnell could put me to sleep (none / 0) (#16)
by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:46:39 PM EST

faster than an Ambien.

Reid will not defend this bill as well as Harkin (none / 0) (#24)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:54:30 PM EST

He never fails to stumble over his words (none / 0) (#28)
by andgarden on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 11:57:38 PM EST

: Maybe he can co-host (none / 0) (#39)
by Spamlet on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:14:12 AM EST

Washington Week with Gwen Ifill after Nevada voters boot him out of office. The two of them can enjoy a weekly flubathon.

vote is beginning (none / 0) (#36)
by Jeralyn on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:09:40 AM EST

Mark Udall is chairing. The quorum has been waived. They just wheeled Robert Byrd in.

Byrd's appearance is the real story (5.00 / 2) (#37)
by andgarden on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:11:08 AM EST

This vote will pass.


: Also touching is that (5.00 / 3) (#45)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:33:30 AM EST

Vicki Kennedy is apparently in the gallery, according to CNN.

: If I'm not mistaken (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by cal1942 on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 12:42:07 AM EST

Shuster said Coburn (R-Mars)stated the he hoped someone would be sick and unable to attend.
Did he ever take the Hippocratic Oath?

: This is nuts (5.00 / 2) (#55)
by FreakyBeaky on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:45:47 AM EST

When you have to wheel in the 60th senator to pass cloture, you've gone 'round the bend.
Did I ever mention, we ought to get rid of the filibuster?