AP: Administration Estimates Bailout Cost $87 Billion

Drastically lowering the administration's estimate of the total cost of the 2008 bailouts, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is now saying that number is $87 billion -- compared to the $500 estimate officials gave a year ago, according to the AP.

USAT: The Health Care Debate's 8 Defining Moments

USA Today takes a look at the top eight defining moments of the last year in health care debate.

House Passes Reconciliation Bill

Tonight, the House took Congress' final health care vote, when it passed a reconciliation bill fixing problems with the reforms that President Obama signed into law on Tuesday. The final tally was 220-207. The changes will take effect as soon as Obama signs this sidecar package into law, which could come as early as tomorrow.

House To Recess After Final Vote

The House is expected to hold its final vote on health care around 9 p.m. tonight.

Capitol Hill aides email that the reconciliation votes are "likely to be the last votes of the day, week and month." The chamber will go into recess for the Easter break.

Rules Committee Approves Last HCR Measure -- 'In The Home Stretch'

The Rules Committee's Democratic spokesman Vince Morris emails reporters tonight that the panel approved a rule to set the framework for debate on the last vote on health care expected this evening.

It allows for one hour of debate on the rule itself, then 10 minutes of debate "on the 20 words worth of fixes," Morris said.

"We are in the home stretch," he added.

Stay Tuned

The House will take the very final vote on health care reform tonight, probably around 8:30 to 9:30 ET. Check back in with TPM for all the updates.

Obama Emerges As Big Winner In Health Reform Passage

The first post-health care reform passage results are in, and President Obama is emerging as the big winner. The public is still split on the reform package itself (with a slight majority still opposed to it), though support appears to be on the rise. But Obama himself has enjoyed big jumps in support since signing the law he has said would be the centerpiece of his first four years in the White House.

Wisconsin Gov Shuts Down AG's Plans To Sue

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Dolye writes a letter to his attorney general, J.B. Van Hollen, denying his request for the state to sue the federal government. "This law is an act of Congress, signed by the President of the United States. The lawsuit you suggest is a frivolous and political attempt to thwart the actions of Congress and the law of the country," Doyle wrote.

Implementation Timeline

The Kaiser Foundation has a handy timeline showing when different provisions of the reform bills will go into effect.

House To Vote Right After Rules Committee Meeting

Democrats expect to take legislative language to the floor as soon as the Rules Committee wraps up its ongoing meeting.

WH Blog: 'What "Repeal" Would Do Away With'

The White House today continued pushing their new line of attack with a post on the official White House blog.

"Once you peel away the layers of false rhetoric, the bottom line is that the Minority Leader and opponents of reform are fighting to repeal critical benefits for American families and small businesses."

Final Vote Expected Between 8:30 And 9:30 Tonight

The final, final, final health care reform vote is expected in the House sometime between 8:30 and 9:30 tonight.

Rules Committee To Meet At 4 To Discuss Final Vote

The Rules Committee will meet at 4 p.m. to approve the framework for debate on the final reconciliation vote.

Scott Brown: Democrats 'Will Stop At Nothing'

Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) released a statement about the Senate vote today: "My election in January deprived the Democrats of their 60th vote, and forced them to resort to a parliamentary maneuver known as reconciliation to ram this bill through Congress. While we all support improving our health care system, today's vote proves that majority party will stop at nothing to force their disastrous health care plan onto a nation that doesn't want it, can't afford it, and that is not good for my state."

Graham: Dems 'Sleazy' Health Care Push Makes Passing Climate Bill Much Harder

The one Republican to join Democrats in pursuit of 60 votes on a climate change bill says they'll have a hard time succeeding after Democrats' "sleazy" health care push.

Police Concerned About Parliamentarian's Safety

From Roll Call: "Tea party protesters are reportedly planning a protest at the home of Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin later this week, prompting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer to work with local law enforcement officials to ensure Frumin's safety.

Gainer said Wednesday night that while neither Frumin nor his family have been threatened, activists have discussed protesting at his house."

Obama On Repeal: Go For It

President Obama, in his speech in Iowa, dares Republicans to try to repeal health care reform.

Senate Passes Reconciliation Bill, 56 to 43

The bill must now go back to the House for a final vote.

Democratic senators Blanche Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE) and Mark Pryor (AR) all voted no. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) did not vote.

Obama Takes Stage In Iowa As Final Votes Tallied In D.C.

Senate Reaches 50 On Reconciliation Bill

Fifty "ayes" have been recorded on the reconciliation bill. The vote is not yet final.

Senate Now Taking Final Vote

After officially striking two provisions the Republicans raised points of order against, the final vote begins. Watch live at c-span.org.

Senate Holds Moment Of Silence For Ted Kennedy

As senators prepare to take the final vote, Majority Leader Harry Reid calls for a moment of silence for Ted Kennedy.

Biden Presiding As Senate Prepares To Take Final Vote

Vice President Biden is presiding over the Senate as it prepares to take the final vote on health care. Senators are thanking staffers for their work on the health care bill.

Dem AG In Georgia Faces Impeachment Threat For Not Suing Government Over Health Care

Eric Kleefeld reports:

With all the Republican state attorneys general who are challenging the health care bill in court, there is also one Democratic attorney general who is taking heat for not suing -- Thurbert Baker of Georgia, who is also currently a candidate for governor, and who now has Republican state legislators calling for his impeachment.

Gibbs: 'Quite Confident' About Second House Vote

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs did a gaggle with reporters on Air Force One en route to Iowa City this afternoon.

Reporters asked about the Senate's changes that will force another vote on the reconciliation measure in the House.

"I think you've seen over the course of the last many hours attempts to do anything possible to try to delay health care reform," he said.

"We're quite confident that this process will soon pass the Senate, that the new bill will be approved rather quickly by the House and we'll make further progress on the issues that are in the reconciliation bill," he said.

Gibbs also denied a Politico report suggesting President Obama wouldn't help Democrats who voted against health care in their campaigns this fall.

"We're going to support Democrats. ... I think the president understands that we're a big family that may not agree on everything. But the president will be out there helping Democrats get re-elected this fall regardless of health care votes," Gibbs said, adding that Democrats who voted "No" will get "equal treatment."

Senate Voting On Final Amendment

The Senate is voting on the last amendment to the reconciliation bill. After points of order, there will be the final vote.

Senate Voting On Final Amendment

The Senate is voting on the last amendment to the reconciliation bill. After points of order, there will be the final vote.

Changes To Senate Health Care Bill Should Sail Through The House--Here's Why

A week ago, many House Democrats were still reluctant to support health care reform. The Senate bill had too many vulnerabilities, they said, and they didn't believe the Senate would be able to pass a health care reconciliation bill to fix the problems. Fast forward to today, and the House is going to have to take up the reconciliation bill for a second time, and House leaders are shrugging it off.

Pelosi Calls On GOP-ers To Condemn Threats

In her weekly press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Republicans have a responsibility to condemn the threats against lawmakers.

Attempt To Kill D.C. Gay Marriage Stopped During HCR Debate

One of the Republican amendments shot down last night was one that would have ended gay marriage in Washington, D.C., which was just legalized, until a popular vote could be held.

Bill Clinton Does Fundraising Email For DCCC

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent a fundraising email to supporters today signed by President Clinton. "Everything we did last year to reverse the Republican agenda to protect and promote big special interests at the expense of the middle class is only making them more determined to try and win back Congress this year. Your grassroots support is the most powerful weapon we have to respond."

Dodd: Some GOP-ers Tired Of 'Just Say No' Strategy

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) tells reporters today that he expects some Republicans are getting tired of the "just say no" strategy their party has been using on both health care and financial reform. "They saw it fail. And now they've had enough of it. and they really want to be involved in crafting things," Dodd said.

GOP Hopefuls Use Health Care Repeal -- And Court Challenges -- To Establish Conservative Cred

We can add a new item to the list of Republican litmus tests that has included taxes, abortion, guns and gays: How staunchly do you support repeal of health care reform? If you're a Republican seeking higher office, this is indeed an important question.

Markey Received Threats

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) says she received two threatening phone calls the day before she voted for the health care bill.

This report joins a long list of other threats, including pictures of nooses yesterday faxed to Reps. James Clyburn and Bart Stupak.

WH Suggests Tepid Support For Dem Yes-To-No Switchers

Asked about five Democrats who switched from "yes" to "no" on health care, a senior White House official tells Poltiico, ""There is not a whole lot of Barack Obama and Joe Biden to spare on a good day. ... We're going to have to focus on our friends."

Right Wing Blogger: I Had Nothing To Do With Image of Noose Faxed to Stupa

Kevin Collins, the man whose blog post made up part of the noose fax sent to Bart Stupak yestderday, tells TPMDC he had nothing to do with the fax.

Senate Expected To Be Done With Reconciliation Around 2 Today

The Senate should have a final vote on the reconciliation bill by around 2 p.m. today.

The House will likely take up the bill soon after the Senate finishes. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said in a statement, "If they finish their work later today as planned, the House will take up the improvements bill with technical corrections this evening."

Biden: Obama Wishes He Made BFD Comment

At a fundraiser yesterday, Vice President Biden joked about his hot-mic moment Tuesday when he said health care is a "big f---ing deal."

Obama To Pitch Health Care In Iowa Today

President Obama will give a speech on health care reform at 2 p.m. ET today in Iowa City, Iowa, where, according to the White House, he first announced his health care plan in 2007.

Markey Received Threats

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) received two threatening phone calls before the House voted this weekend. One caller said to a staff member, "Better hope I don't run into you in a dark alley with a knife, a club or a gun." The office asked Fort Collins police to step up patrols of Markey's home and district office.

Protesters Bring Coffin To Rep. Carnahan's Home

Missouri press are reporting that Rep. Russ Carnahan's (D-MO) home was targeted by protesters with a coffin over the weekend after he voted in support of the health care reform bill.

Hoyer: The Bill Will Pass The House

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer expressed confidence this morning that the House will pass the reconciliation bill again. "I expect to get this bill back from the Senate sometime this afternoon, and I would expect several hours after we will have the bill on the floor, and we will pass the bill and send it to the president," he said on CBS.

Dems To Hold Presser On How Reconciliation Bill Helps Students

Several Senate Democrats, including Chris Dodd, Tom Harkin and Debbie Stabenow, will hold a press conference at 10:30 today with a UMASS student to discuss why the reconciliation bill will help students.

Senate Will Resume At 9:45

After working into the early morning hours, the Senate will resume its work on the reconciliation bill at 9:45 a.m.

Kaine Calls On GOP To Tone Down Rhetoric After Threats

In a press release, DNC Chair Tim Kaine blamed Republicans' rhetoric for threats against members of Congress. "Republican leaders must disassociate themselves from this deplorable behavior, they must condemn these acts decisively and, most importantly, they must tone down their own tactics and rhetoric to set a better example for their supporters and the country," he said.

After Minor Changes, Bill Must Go Back To House

The Senate parliamentarian ruled last night that there must be two small changes to the reconciliation bill. This will send the bill back to the House for another vote after the Senate approves it.

How The Clintons Fought For Health Care Behind The Scenes

It ended with a hug, Hillary Clinton's arms thrown out exuberantly to congratulate President Obama once the health care bill passed. The White House made sure to snap a picture and posted it online. But Hillary, and even Bill, were kept out of the spotlight for nearly all of the debate.

DNC Radio Ad: 'Hands Off Our Health Care' (AUDIO)

The DNC co-opts one of the tea partiers' favorite phrases in a new radio ad.

Levin: GOP Blocking Of Committee Hearings 'Blind Obstructionism'

Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, today sent out a statement blasting Republicans for stopping the Senate from holding hearings: "It is astounding to me that Republicans have taken a step of such pointless, blind obstructionism."

Pelosi: 'I See The Way We Did HCR As A Model Of Getting Something Done'

"I see the way we did health care reform as a model of getting something done for the American people," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says in an interview with PBS. "We reach for bipartisanship, we try to find common ground, but if we can't, it doesn't mean we don't go forward."