I was lucky enough to watch the final vote on TV this morning. Bernie got there late to some applause from the Democratic senators. He voted "Yes" instead of "Aye."
Moments earlier Harry Reid had accidentally voted no, and threw up his hands to uproarious laughter in the chamber while the clerk gave him a moment to change his vote.
Final vote: 60-39 with all Democrats, Sanders and Lieberman voting yes, all Republicans voting no except one. I'm having trouble finding out who it was that didn't vote.
Despite having given Sanders the OK to kill the bill if he wished, and despite its flaws I'm happy the bill passed, and I would be disappointed the conference bill does not pass in both chambers too.
Sure it's a huge giveaway to the health insurance companies, but it's better than a huge giveaway to the war industry, which always happens. If we're going to borrow obscene amounts from China, we might as well let the money pay for band aids instead of bullets for a change.
Also- Last night on her show Rachel Maddow said her guest was going to make drinks for "Kent and I" and then immediately corrected herself and said "Kent and me."
ReplyDeleteMost people would have said "Kent and I" on purpose and thought is was correct. That's why I love Rachel Maddow.
The only senator not to vote was Jim Bunning (R) of Kentucky, who's been absent for much of the week for unstated reasons.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_12/021615.php