In case you missed it this weekend, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the much-talked-about health care bill on Saturday evening. Democrats came out on top with a 220-215 vote, which will result in an overhaul of our nation's current healthcare system.
Despite this small victory for healthcare reform supporters, the bill still has a very long way to go before it is official. Tennessee Democratic Rep Jim Cooper, who has publicly spoken against the bill in the past, is hopeful that it will become stronger as it now moves through Senate.
- “This bill will get better in the Senate,” said Cooper. “If we kill it here, it won’t have a chance to get better.”
Representative John Dingell (D- MIchigan) compared the close vote to that of past victories that barely squeaked by. “Today’s may be a tough vote, but it was in 1935 when we passed Social Security,” said Dingell, who is also dean of the House.
Responding to questions about whether the bill will make it through Senate, President Obama released a statement following the vote saying, “I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year.”
While the Democrats were high-fiving each other and cheering, most of the Republican Representatives who condemned the vote sat quietly as the final count was read by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D). Only one Republican voted for healthcare reform, Representative Anh Cao of Louisiana.
Representative Kevin Brady (R- Texas) said he will fight "tooth and nail at every turn" to ensure this bill does not make it to the President's desk. “Health care is too important to get it wrong.”
To watch the bill as it was passed, check out the clip below. It's no World Series, but it is just as exciting.
Read more about the vote at the New York Times.
What do you think of the healthcare bill passing in the House?
via TakePart
