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US health law passes final vote | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The landmark US healthcare reform law, which extends coverage to 32 million more Americans, has passed its final Congress vote. | |
The US House of Representatives backed amendments by 220 votes to 207. The vote was needed after a number of Republican objections. | |
The Senate earlier voted for the package by 56-43. Two points, which Democrats say are minor, were deleted. | |
President Barack Obama has already signed the main bill into law. | |
He will now be able to apply a final signature. | |
"This has been a legislative fight that will be in the record books," Senate leader Harry Reid said before the final vote. | "This has been a legislative fight that will be in the record books," Senate leader Harry Reid said before the final vote. |
The healthcare reform marks the biggest change to the US healthcare system in decades. | |
SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN Provides Senators and their staff with confidential and non-partisan expert advice about rules and proceduresAdvice is non-binding and can be rejected by the SenateSits immediately below the Presiding Officer on the rostrumRefers bills to appropriate committees on behalf of the Senate's Presiding OfficerCurrently has four assistants Democrats threatened over bill Track Obama's ratings | SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN Provides Senators and their staff with confidential and non-partisan expert advice about rules and proceduresAdvice is non-binding and can be rejected by the SenateSits immediately below the Presiding Officer on the rostrumRefers bills to appropriate committees on behalf of the Senate's Presiding OfficerCurrently has four assistants Democrats threatened over bill Track Obama's ratings |
After the main vote on Sunday a package of amendments was sent back to the Senate for a vote, under a process known as budget reconciliation. The amendments have to relate to budgetary rather than policy issues. | |
On Wednesday, Senate Republicans submitted 30 amendments - which were all rejected by Democrats during a marathon overnight voting session. | |
However, Senate parliamentarian Alan Frumin upheld two Republican challenges on points of order under budget reconciliation rules, Senate Democratic aides said. | |
Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said: "After hours of trying to find a way to block this, they (Republicans) found two relatively minor provisions that are violations of Senate procedure which means we're going to have to send it back to the House." | Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said: "After hours of trying to find a way to block this, they (Republicans) found two relatively minor provisions that are violations of Senate procedure which means we're going to have to send it back to the House." |
President Obama signed the healthcare bill into law without delay after the House vote on Sunday, as he did not need to wait for the Senate vote on the reconciliation bill. | |
Obama thanks Iowa for health reform | Obama thanks Iowa for health reform |
In Iowa on Thursday, he dared Republicans to try to repeal the new law ahead of November's mid-term elections, saying: "Go for it." | In Iowa on Thursday, he dared Republicans to try to repeal the new law ahead of November's mid-term elections, saying: "Go for it." |
Some supporters of the bill had received threats and abusive messages, prompting them to call police and the FBI. | Some supporters of the bill had received threats and abusive messages, prompting them to call police and the FBI. |
Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said more than 10 Democratic politicians had reported incidents since Sunday's vote, some of which he described as "very serious". | Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said more than 10 Democratic politicians had reported incidents since Sunday's vote, some of which he described as "very serious". |