Senate resumes healthcare debate after read-a-thon ends
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After nearly eight hours of droning, sleep-inducing reading of the latest version of the healthcare overhaul bill, the Senate resumed debate this afternoon, on track to a final vote by Christmas.
The formal reading was prompted by Republicans seeking to slow down the legislative process for a bill that Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky described as “a legislative train wreck of historic proportions.”
But one of the powers of the majority, in this case a newly solidified super-majority of 60 votes, is the ability to control the agenda.
Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada introduced motions to shut off debate after the reading ended. The Senate will debate today, first by a trio of Democrats, then Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who is expected to speak for several hours on why Republicans oppose the bill.
The Senate will then adjourn to Sunday afternoon to allow morning time for church. The vote on ending debate is scheduled for 1 a.m. Monday, Reid said.
If the two sides are opposed on most everything, there was unanimity about one thing: the excellent job the clerks did in reading the almost 400-page amendment.
McConnell and Reid both thanked and praised the clerks for the reading, to a sparse chamber.
--Michael Muskal
