� S T A R S A N D S T R I P E S �
BY ERICA WERNER
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- With no
margin for rebellion, Senate
Democraticleaderspushedahead
Friday toward a crucial weekend
test vote on their sweeping health
care bill amid indications the
rank-and-file would stand togeth-
er on President Barack Obama's
signature issue.
"We are not assuming a thing.
We are working hard to bring
all Democrats together for the
60 votes necessary to proceed to
this historic debate," said Dick
Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Sen-
ate Democrat.
"I'm hoping that we can mus-
ter our ranks."
The nearly $1 trillion, 10-year
Senatebillwouldextendcoverage
to millions of uninsured Ameri-
cans, bar insurance company
practices like denying coverage
to people with medical conditions
and require nearly all individuals
to purchase insurance.
Sixty votes are required to
clear Saturday's must-pass pro-
cedural vote allowing debate to
begin, meaning that all 58 Sen-
ate Democrats and the two inde-
pendents that generally vote with
them will need to hold together.
There have been just three
question marks in recent days:
moderate Democratic Sens.
Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary
Landrieu of Louisiana and
Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.
Nelson and Landrieu have
made comments suggesting
they'd allow debate to begin, fo-
cusing the spotlight on Lincoln,
who's facing a difficult re-elec-
tion next year.
Durbin said Friday that Lin-
coln has informed Majority Lead-
er Harry Reid how she plans to
vote.
Durbin wouldn't disclose Lin-
coln's answer and a spokeswom-
an for Lincoln had no immediate
comment, but Democrats are
moving ahead with the vote.
"I would say to Senator Lin-
coln that I believe most people in
Arkansas would be relieved and
happy to see health care reform
that gives them the peace of mind
about the cost of health insurance
and the protection of their ability
to fight these health insurance
companies," Durbin said.
"I think the failure to pass a bill
is not good for America, it's not
good for any of us in Congress, or
those standing for re-election,"
Durbin said.
Ahead of Saturday's vote Re-
publicans and Democrats spent
Friday trading barbs on the
Senate floor over the 2,074-page
bill.
Republicans displayed the Sen-
ate bill and the 1,990-page House
bill -- stacked on top of each other
to form a tall pile -- to criticize
the legislation as an unwarranted
government intrusion.
Sunday, November 22, 2009PAGE 10 O F3HIJKLM
MANUEL BALCE/AP
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, center, and several other senators hold a news
conference on health care reform on Capitol Hill in Washington on Friday. The Senate was to debate and
vote on the bill this weekend.
Senate Democrats
push ahead on key
health reform vote
IN THE STATES

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