Harkin Predicts End of Health Debate in December

Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) is already predicting when debate will end on health reform legislation, according to POLITICO.

Senate Health Committee Chairman Tom Harkin said: “We’re going to have some long days, we’re going to have weekends,” Harkin said. “We’re going to have three weeks. That means we’ll finish on the 23rd of December. And maybe, actually, a little before then — actually the weekend before then.”

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Nominations Confirmed: November 21

Senators have unanimously confirmed the following nominees to serve in President Obama’s Administration:

• Kenyen Brown to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for the term of four years
• Stephanie Rose to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
• Nicholas Klinefeldt to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa for the term of four years
• Christina Reiss to be United States District Judge for the District of Vermont
• Abdul Kallon to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama
• Daniel Gordon to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy

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Senate Adopts Procedural Motion to Begin Debate on Health Reform Bill

Senators have adopted a procedural (cloture) motion to begin debating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) by a vote of 60 to 39. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) did not vote, but has stated that he would have opposed the motion.

As expected, it was a straight party-line vote with 60 being needed for passage of the motion. 

No further action on the bill is expected until after next week, as members will be out of session for Thanksgiving recess.

You can read the Democratic Policy Committee bill summary here.  No Republican summary has yet been made available.

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Lincoln a Yes on Initial Health Vote

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) will vote yes on today’s initial procedural motion to begin debate on health care reform legislation.

So this means that all 60 members who caucus with the Democrats will likely vote in favor of the cloture motion while all Republican members will oppose it.  That’s just enough for passage.

She made the announcement in a floor speech today.

Here is a key quote, as obtained from an official press release:

“This initial procedural vote simply allows us to open debate on health care reform, nothing more or less.  My decision to support this vote is not my last nor is it my only chance to shape health insurance reform. Debate on the Senate floor is where I will have the opportunity to influence the final version of health care reform legislation.”

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Landrieu a Yes on Initial Health Vote

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will vote yes on today’s initial procedural motion to begin debate on health care reform legislation.  That’s according to the Senate Democratic Communications Center’s War Room.

So that means Democrats will likely have 59 votes.  One more Senator, Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), has yet to make her vote public.

A key quote from the AP:

”I’ve decided that there are enough significant reforms and safeguards in this bill to move forward, but much more work needs to be done,” Landrieu said on the Senate floor as she delivered her long-awaited announcement just hours before the 8 p.m. EST vote.

(credit image – getty)