"With Sen. Ted Kennedy's booming voice in our ears, with his passion in our hearts, we say, as he said: The work goes on, the cause endures," said Reid, echoing words Kennedy uttered in his most famous speech.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledges, "We will soon produce a final bill that is founded on the core principles of health insurance reform: affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors, responsibility to our children by reducing the deficit, and accountability for the insurance industry."Indeed, it's not all he wanted but it's a start.
It's not all I'd like to see either but it's a solid democratic victory.
There will be other modifications before it becomes law and most democrats won't like most of them but - as usual - compromise is necessary.
YAHOO NEWSSenate OK's health care bill in victory for Obama
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent
Fri Dec 25, 9:56 am ET
WASHINGTON – In an epic struggle settled at dawn, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed health care legislation Thursday, a triumph for President Barack Obama that clears the way for compromise talks with the House on a bill to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and rein in the insurance industry.
The vote was 60-39, strictly along party lines, one day after Democrats succeeded in crushing a filibuster by Republicans eager — yet unable — to inflict a year-end political defeat on the White House.
At the White House, Obama called the vote historic, and said because of it, "we are incredibly close to making health insurance reform a reality in this country. Our challenge now is to finish the job."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul