Now it Falls on the Senate to Take the Baton

Monday, 09 November 2009 10:05

The Hill

If the measure passes the Senate, it must go through a conference committee to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions - a process that could ultimately result in a vastly different piece of legislation than the one agreed to in the House this weekend.

A spokesman for the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) was quick to point out that Democrats in the chamber may have a tougher time passing the legislation than in House. There are only 58 Democrats, plus Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who often caucus with the party.

But Lieberman has voiced his opposition to any measure that contains a public option insurance alternative, which jeopardizes the 60-vote threshold necessary to block a Republican filibuster.

“With all of the attention on last night’s healthcare vote in the House, it’s important to note that the Democrats do not have a 40 vote cushion in the Senate – in fact, they do not have a one vote cushion,” said Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the NRSC.

Full story here.