Obamacare in the Senate: The Debate Starts Right Now

Brian Darling / November 30, 2009

The Senate commenced debate today on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) version of Obamacare and nobody knows if the bill will pass. Politico reports that there are four key Senators to this debate: Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT). The real debate will be in the Democrat Cloakroom where Leader Reid will attempt to garner the support of these four key Senators.

Reports indicate that there will be an amendment process that alternates between Republicans and Democrats. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) offered the first amendment to the ReidCare bill that “guarantees women access to life saving preventative services and screening.” Republicans will be offering an amendment later this evening. This process is expected to continue until Christmas time with a long and drawn out amendment and debate process. (more…)