DeMint joins GOP effort to grind health debate to a halt

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) Wednesday vowed that Republicans would take all steps necessary to halt the Democrats' healthcare reform bill in the Senate.

The conservative senator voiced his support for Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-Okla.) requested that Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) 767-page amendment that would establish a single-payer healthcare system be read aloud on the Senate floor in its entirety. 

DeMint took to Twitter, saying:

Coburn forced Dems to read 767 pg Sanders amendment, we'll do everything we can to stop this government takeover of health care

If Reid won’t slow down this debate, we will do it for him.

Coburn's move will likely halt Senate debate on the healthcare bill for eight hours, according to Senate staffers. President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders are aiming to pass the bill before the Senate recesses for Christmas.

DeMint also issued a release backing Coburn's procedural move.

"This bill allows the federal government to take over our health care system, and it must be stopped. We will use whatever procedural tools are necessary to defeat this bill," DeMint said. 

Cross-posted to the Twitter Room