[UPDATE: The House of Representatives has passed HR 3590, the Senate version of health care reform. The final vote was 219 Aye, 212 Nay. As, expected, no GOP votes crossed over to vote yes this time.
Republicans are now proposing a motion to recommit that includes the language of the original Stupak amendment.]
I’ve been following along on my twitter feed during the series of speeches, but we’re getting very close to the final votes.
After the end of all the speeches, there will be a vote, I believe, on the Senate bill, HR 3590. After that, without any time for debate in between, there will be a vote on the reconciliation bill. Both are expected to pass, with (I would guess) 218 or 219 votes.
So that’s the schedule. We’ll have voting soon, I’ll be around to tally.
Big thanks to everyone following along, commenting, and checking in to contact me over this last week. You kept me going.
…I would expect speeches from John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi before the first vote. I’ve seen no evidence that there will be a motion to recommit, though I suppose it’s possible. In that case, there would be three votes to go.
…Here’s John Boehner. “I rise tonight with a sad and heavy heart.” I say he pulls a Glenn Beck (and cries, not pulls out the blackboard).
…And the House turns into the British Parliament for a moment, with the shouts back and forth.
…Boehner’s losing it, thinks he’s a preacher, doing call-and-response.
…Apparently, there will be a motion to recommit, but only AFTER the Senate bill, which shows what a transparent farce it is for Republicans to submit it, since health care will be the law of the land after the Senate bill passes.
…Boehner tries to back the Dems into a corner by getting a one-by-one recorded vote (there’s a public roll call afterward, I see no point), David Obey smacks him down.
…Remember, Boehner told his caucus earlier today to “behave like grownups.”
…Boehner calls the bill “a ticket to minority status.”
…Boehner yields back to resounding applause from white men on his side of the aisle. The Speaker appears.
…Pelosi getting a standing ovation. “Tonight we will make history for our country.”
Tags: Health care, health care reform, House of Representatives, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, Reconciliation
