Exultant Senate Democrats pushed President Obama’s landmark health care overhaul past a final procedural hurdle Wednesday, setting up a Christmas Eve vote to pass the legislation extending coverage to 30 million Americans.
Democrats voted 60-39 to end a GOP filibuster and move to a final vote Thursday. All 58 Democrats and two independents hung together against unanimous Republican opposition.
It was the 24th day of debate on the 10-year, nearly $1 trillion bill.
“It has been a long time coming,” said Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.). “I thank God that I have lived to see this day.”
Final passage requires just a simple majority so Democrats should triumph easily.
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It will be a big victory for Obama and the Democrats, although the Senate bill will still have to be reconciled with a House-passed version before Obama could sign a final package.