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Ben Nelson gives health bill its 60th vote
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) will provide Democrats a decisive 60th vote in favor of healthcare reform legislation after a compromise was reached on abortion.
The manager's amendment to the healthcare bill submitted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) earlier this morning has met Nelson's concerns on abortion leading Nelson to in turn agree to support the landmark bill.
"Let me say at the outset that change is never easy," Nelson said in a press conference at the Capitol on Saturday. "But change is what's necessary in America today, that's why I intend to vote for cloture and vote for healthcare reform."
Nelson said that the latest language in the bill would now meet that goal.
"I have strongly-held views and I have fought hard to prevent to prevent tax dollars from being used to subsidize abortions," he explained. "I believe we have accomplished that goal."
His support now gives Democrats 60 votes for their bill, enough for them to forestall any GOP filibuster of the legislation. The agreement clears the way for Democrats to move on cloture and final passage for the healthcare bill later this weekend and next week. Reid has planned a vote to pass the final bill for Christmas Eve.
He warned, however, that his vote could go away if the agreement he struck with Democratic leaders were disturbed during conference.
"This cloture vote is based on a full understanding that there will be a limited conference between the Senate and House," he said. "If there are material changes in that conference report different from this bill that adversely affect the agreement, I reserve the right to vote against the next cloture vote."
The Nebraska centrist credited Obama administration officials and Reid for helping reach an agreement, an agreement Nelson called "an accomplishment of historic proportions."
This post was updated at 10:13 a.m.
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