By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A broad healthcare overhaul moved closer to clearing its first U.S. Senate hurdle on Saturday when one of two wavering Democrats said she would vote to begin debate on the landmark legislation.
Senator Mary Landrieu ended days of uncertainty when she said she would support a procedural motion on Saturday to allow debate to begin on an overhaul the $2.5 trillion healthcare system -- the bill's first crucial test vote.
The healthcare overhaul, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, would expand coverage to millions of uninsured and bar insurance practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
A loss on the first test vote would be a huge setback for Obama, undermining his legislative agenda and political standing less than a year into his term.
Democrats need 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and have no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes and Republicans are united in opposition.
Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln, moderate Democrats from conservative Southern states where the overhaul is unpopular, had been the last Democrats who had not committed to moving the bill to the floor.
Lincoln still has not announced her stance for the 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT on Sunday) vote.
Landrieu said she wanted the debate to begin but she still could not commit to supporting the final bill.
'It is a vote to move forward to continue the good and essential and important and imperative work that is underway,' she said. 'Much more work needs to be done.'
Republicans have condemned the measure as a costly and heavy-handed government intrusion in the private sector that would raise insurance premiums and increase taxes.
Republican Senator Judd Gregg, appearing on Saturday on MSNBC, said almost all Senate bills that clear this hurdle eventually pass. 'So this is a big vote, this is a real vote. This isn't about debating the bill.'
Asked if Democrats had the votes, Gregg said 'most likely.'
Reid, speaking on the Senate floor, said, 'All we're asking today is have a debate on it. Why would anybody be afraid in the greatest debating society supposedly in the world, to debate healthcare?'
If the Senate takes up the bill, the debate is expected to begin on Nov. 30 and last at least three weeks, making it unlikely Obama can sign a final bill by the end of the year.
Any differences between a Senate bill and the version passed earlier this month by the House of Representatives would have to be reconciled -- a potentially difficult task -- before a final bill can be voted on again in both houses and sent to Obama.
(Editing by Vicki Allen and Sandra Maler) Keywords: USA HEALTHCARE/ (john.whitesides@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202-898-8300; Reuters Messaging: john.whitesides.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A broad healthcare overhaul moved closer to clearing its first U.S. Senate hurdle on Saturday when one of two wavering Democrats said she would vote to begin debate on the landmark legislation.
Senator Mary Landrieu ended days of uncertainty when she said she would support a procedural motion on Saturday to allow debate to begin on an overhaul the $2.5 trillion healthcare system -- the bill's first crucial test vote.
The healthcare overhaul, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, would expand coverage to millions of uninsured and bar insurance practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
A loss on the first test vote would be a huge setback for Obama, undermining his legislative agenda and political standing less than a year into his term.
Democrats need 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and have no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes and Republicans are united in opposition.
Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln, moderate Democrats from conservative Southern states where the overhaul is unpopular, had been the last Democrats who had not committed to moving the bill to the floor.
Lincoln still has not announced her stance for the 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT on Sunday) vote.
Landrieu said she wanted the debate to begin but she still could not commit to supporting the final bill.
'It is a vote to move forward to continue the good and essential and important and imperative work that is underway,' she said. 'Much more work needs to be done.'
Republicans have condemned the measure as a costly and heavy-handed government intrusion in the private sector that would raise insurance premiums and increase taxes.
Republican Senator Judd Gregg, appearing on Saturday on MSNBC, said almost all Senate bills that clear this hurdle eventually pass. 'So this is a big vote, this is a real vote. This isn't about debating the bill.'
Asked if Democrats had the votes, Gregg said 'most likely.'
Reid, speaking on the Senate floor, said, 'All we're asking today is have a debate on it. Why would anybody be afraid in the greatest debating society supposedly in the world, to debate healthcare?'
If the Senate takes up the bill, the debate is expected to begin on Nov. 30 and last at least three weeks, making it unlikely Obama can sign a final bill by the end of the year.
Any differences between a Senate bill and the version passed earlier this month by the House of Representatives would have to be reconciled -- a potentially difficult task -- before a final bill can be voted on again in both houses and sent to Obama.
(Editing by Vicki Allen and Sandra Maler) Keywords: USA HEALTHCARE/ (john.whitesides@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202-898-8300; Reuters Messaging: john.whitesides.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.