On March 21, 2010, the House made a historic event with the passage of H.R. 4872, Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.  After more than a year of fierce debate, President Obama has won a major legislative victory.

The Senate healthcare bill passed the House in 219-212 vote. An overwhelming majority of Democratic House members voted in support of the bill. However, thirty-four Democrats voted nay, and, as expected, all Republicans voted against the bill.

It is no doubt that President Obama will quickly sign the Senate healthcare bill into law without delay, allowing the Senate to consider the reconciliation bill.

The Senate is expected to pass the reconciliation bill next week with a simple majority of fifty-one votes. The reconciliation strategy is a fast-track legislative process that allows the healthcare bill to pass the Senate in a limited time period and a move to circumvent a filibuster by the Republicans. 

The 34 Democrats to vote against the Senate bill were: Reps. John Adler (N.J.), Jason Altmire (Pa.), Michael Arcuri (N.Y.), John Barrow (Ga.), Marion Berry (Ark.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Rick Boucher (Va.), Bobby Bright (Ala.), Ben Chandler (Ky.), Artur Davis (Ala.), Lincoln Davis (Tenn.), Chet Edwards (Texas), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Frank Kratovil (Md.), Dan Lipinski (Ill.), Stephen Lynch (Mass.), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), Michael McMahon (N.Y.), Charlie Melancon (La.), Walt Minnick (Idaho), Glenn Nye (Va.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Mike Ross (Ark.), Heath Shuler (N.C.), Ike Skelton (Mo.), Zack Space (Ohio), John Tanner (Tenn.), Gene Taylor (Miss.) and Harry Teague (N.M.)

Americans have been waiting for many, many years for this healthcare reform. Previous presidents—Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Theodore Roosevelt—have failed to achieve a healthcare legislative victory. It is wonderful to know that the President that we have elected is finally passing a bill in which many Americans have been concerned for a long time. We still need to let our voices be heard. Please contact your elected Senators and let them know that you support a comprehensive healthcare bill.

You can find your Senators on the following link:

http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm