It was the middle of the night in Washington, but all 100 senators were gathered in the Capitol for a key procedural vote on health care reform legislation.
Democrats needed every single one of the 58 Democrats in the Senate, plus the two independents who normally vote with them, to vote for cloture, which limits debate and Republican delaying tactics, and they got it. All 40 Republicans voted against cloture.
"On this vote, the yeas are 60 and the nays are 40. Three fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to."
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada had been working day and night for weeks to get the 60 votes he needed, amid tireless efforts by Republicans to delay and obstruct passage of a bill they strongly oppose.
Moments before the vote, Reid read from letters sent to him by people in his home state of Nevada who are sick and unable to get necessary medical care. Senator Reid cited a Harvard University study that says on average, one American dies every ten minutes because of a lack of health insurance.
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Source: Cindy Saine, Voice of America
"On this vote, the yeas are 60 and the nays are 40. Three fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to."
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada had been working day and night for weeks to get the 60 votes he needed, amid tireless efforts by Republicans to delay and obstruct passage of a bill they strongly oppose.
Moments before the vote, Reid read from letters sent to him by people in his home state of Nevada who are sick and unable to get necessary medical care. Senator Reid cited a Harvard University study that says on average, one American dies every ten minutes because of a lack of health insurance.
Click Here to Read More...
Source: Cindy Saine, Voice of America
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