Gingrich: Every Republican Will Run On Repealing Health Care Bill

Appearing on Meet The Press, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) predicted that Republicans will make repeal of the health care bill a top campaign issue: "I suspect every Republican running in '10 and again in '12 will run on an absolute pledge to repeal this bill. The bill--most of the bill does not go into effect until '13 or '14, except on the tax increase side; and therefore, I think there won't be any great constituency for it. And I think it'll be a major campaign theme."

McConnell: Health Care Bill 'Will Be A Big, If Not Central Issue' In 2010 And 2012

Appearing on This Week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave an ambiguous answer about whether Republicans will run in 2010 on a platform of repealing the health care bill. After McConnell said the bill was a political problem for the Democrats, host Jake Tapper told McConnell that he hadn't answered the question. "Well, I'm sorry, I thought I did answer your question," McConnell responded. "There's no question that this bill, if it were to become law, and frankly even if it doesn't become law, will be a big, if not central issue not only in the 2010 election, but in the 2012 election."

Van Hollen: Public Option 'Not Dead'

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said yesterday that while the public option isn't dead, he understands the realities of maintaining Senate support for health care reform. However, he said, "before the House was to give up the public option, we would want to be persuaded that there are other mechanisms in whatever bill comes out that will keep down premiums."

Abstinence Proponents Looking For Help In Health Care Bill

The Washington Post reports that advocates of teaching teenagers to remain virgins until marriage are hoping that the new health care bill might include funding to save abstinence education programs that are otherwise set to lose federal funding.

DNC Slams McConnell's Remarks On 'This Week'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democratic health care bill this morning on ABC's "This Week," and the Democratic National Committee went after him with a comparison to Richard Nixon.

"This morning Mitch McConnell told more lies per second than anyone who has ever appeared in the long, storied history of Sunday shows. From the opening sequence to the final credits, it was a breathtaking display of lying that would have made Richard Nixon blush," said DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan.

"Now that the momentum is behind finally delivering on the promise of reform, Republicans are growing more desperate by the hour and - as we saw today - have adopted a say and do anything strategy to kill reform and save themselves," Sevugan added.

During his interview McConnell (R-KY) said the bill raises taxes and increases premiums, and said Americans are "overwhelmingly opposed to the bill."

McConnell also said the Obama administration "has run up more debt in the first year than the previous one in four years."

The DNC said Obama inherited the deficit.

Dems Say Final Health Care Bill To Look Like Senate Version

The chairmen of the Democratic campaign arms in the House and Senate say the final health care bill is going to look much more like the Senate version by the time it hits President Obama's desk, The Hill reports.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who leads the DCCC, said members won't "rubber stamp" anything but said he recognizes political reality. Sen. Bob Menendez, who leads the DSCC, offered similar sentiment.

Clyburn Says He 'Never Really Bought Into' Robust Public Option

Appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said he wasn't convinced a strong public option would make it into a final health care bill.

"I said way back before we went out on the August break that we ought to take a hard-look at this so-called robust public option that a lot of people had bought into, I never really bought into that," Clyburn said.

How The House And Senate Bills Stack Up

As the House and Senate prepare to reconcile their health care reform bills, the New York Times takes a look at the similarities and differences between the two bills.

Which Special Interest Groups Won -- And Lost -- On The Senate's Bill?

The Hill takes a look at K Street's winners and losers. "No special interest got everything they sought, but there was something for everyone."

Landrieu: 'There's Very Little Room For This BIll To Change'

Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) have made it clear: the Senate's bill can't be changed much in conference if it's going to pass the Senate again.

Bill Burton: Holiday Break Won't Just Be Sugar Plums

In a gaggle this afternoon with reporters, White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters that President Obama will continue to work on health care reform during his holiday vacation in Hawaii: "But, as you can imagine, even though it's the holiday season I think things besides sugar plums are going to be dancing in the heads of people like Nancy-Ann."

Ellison Tweets Public Option Still Possible 'If We Get Loud'

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MI) uses his Twitter feed to push the public option.

"Don't Quit on #PO. Still very possible if we get loud now," he writes.

Maybe that's why he joined in for a health care Christmas carol in video we posted yesterday.

'Family Commitments' Caused Bunning To Miss Vote

A staffer for Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), the lone senator to miss Thursday's health care reform vote, told the Louisville Courier-Journal, "the senator had family commitments."

Democrats To Suggest GOP Would 'Repeal' Health Care

A new line of attack is emerging for 2010.

Christina Bellantoni reports the Democrats will say the Republicans would repeal the health care legislation.

WH Relieved With Quick Refresher Before Final Health Care Deal

Christina Bellantoni reports that after a long slog on health care, a weary White House is going to take a break. But the health care team will get right back to work next week.

The story here.

Not Knowing What Else To Do, Health Reform Foe Takes Down Christmas Tree (AUDIO)

On C-SPAN's call in show this morning, a woman named Bunny from Parsons, Kansas, said she was so disappointed by the Senate's health care vote that she took down her Christmas tree. And it seems like her call was not a prank.

Tea Partiers' Next Target: Corporate America?

With health care all but lost, tea partiers are turning to their next target: American business. The Tea Party Patriots group is planning a "National Day of Strike" for Jan. 20, one year to the day after President Obama's inauguration. The goal of the strike, according to the website where it's being planned, is to "financially cripple" the companies across America the group says are "backing the leftist agenda" and "funding socialism."

OFA Made 1 Million Calls

Organizing for America supporters have made more than 1 million calls on health care reform, the Democratic National Committee says.

Details here.

Obama Phones Ted Kennedy's Widow And Others After Senate Health Care Passage

President Obama called several members of Congress and symbolic figureheads of the health care debate after the Senate passed health care this morning.

GOP State AGs Prepare To Challenge Health Care Provision

South Carolina's attorney general is leading nine other state AGs -- all Republicans -- in threatening to sue over the provision of the health care bill that exempts Nebraska from new Medicaid costs, a measure secured by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

Obama Hails Senate Passage And Offers Holiday Wishes For Troops

Read his statement here.

Feingold: 'I Am Deeply Disappointed'

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) released a statement saying that he is "deeply disappointed" in the Senate health care bill, but will work to improve it in conference -- including re-inserting a public option. Feingold voted for the bill this morning.

Obama: 'These Are Not Small Reforms'

President Obama just delivered a short speech praising Senate passage of the health care bill, calling the health care bill one of the most important piece of social legislation since Social Security in the 1930s and Medicare in the 1960s.

House Health Leaders: 'We Are Committed To Producing A Final Bill'

Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Charlie Rangel (D-NY), and George Miller (D-CA), the chairmen of the three committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a statement today after the Senate approved legislation to reform the nation's health insurance system.

Pelosi Says Final Bill Coming 'As Soon As Possible'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement this morning praising Majority Leader Harry Reid's "strong leadership" and promising a final bill "as soon as possible."

What Happens Now That The Senate Has Passed Health Care Reform

The Senate passed health care reform. So they're done, right? Wrong! Brian Beutler explains what's next.

Senators Exhausted But Laughing As They Head Home For The Year

A few humorous slip ups by fatigued members lightened the historic passage of health care reform in the Senate.

Brian Beutler's report here.

Byrd: 'He Who Has Health Has Hope'

Senate's longest serving (and oldest) member Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) talks about history being made with health care bill's passage.

His statement here.

Chamber Denounces Health Care Bill

U.S. Chamber of Commerce doesn't like it.

The statement here.

Boehner Compares Health Care Bill To Ebenezer Scrooge

In another holiday-themed statement, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) says the health care bill is more "greedy and cruel" than Scrooge.

Read it here.

DNC Gives Thanks On Obama Twitter Feed

The DNC tweets on the @barackobama feed:

The Senate just passed health reform. Thanks to all who made this moment possible.

Steele Criticizes Health Care Bill In Christmas-Themed Statement

RNC Chairman Mike Steele says the health care bill is President Obama's Christmas "gift that keeps on taking."

Senators Elated After Passage

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) told reporters now the health care bill has cleared the chamber it is time to focus on jobs and the economy.

Evan McMorris-Santoro reports that Nelson said the partisanship -- and the doubts among Americans about the bill -- will end now that it's passed.

"It's understandable some people feel that way after those from the other side have been saying what they're saying," he said. "But when the ads go off the air, people will see the sky isn't falling."

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) told TPMDC: "Everything is brighter now. This is so good."

Dingell There To Thank Senators

We told you earlier that Rep. John Dingell was on Capitol Hill.

Evan McMorris-Santoro reports in that Dingell made the surprise appearance and personally thanked Democratic Senators for their vote on health care.

He praised the bill's passage and outlined what it would accomplish.

AARP Likes It

AARP issues a laudatory statement here.

HCAN Hails Passage

Health Care For America Now praises the Senate vote.

Read the statement here.

Abortion Remains An Issue

The Center for Reproductive Rights has issued a statement criticizing both the House and Senate bills.

In a statement you can read here the group says health care shouldn't have been used as an abortion bill.

APPROVED - Senate Passes Health Care Bill 60-39

The Senate health care bill passed, 60-39. Our report here.

Only Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) was absent.

Voting Begins, Most Senators Sitting There

Voting just started.

Unlike most days when senators are scattered all over the Capitol, most of them are sitting in the chamber.

Tired Staffers Mock Early Vote

TPMDC's Evan McMorris-Santoro files this report from Capitol Hill:

It may be History In The Making in the U.S. senate this morning, but it's also really early in the morning on a day most would rather be at home w/ their families.

As a result, Democratic Senators are all smiles -- their staffers, less so. One staffer to another in the Ohio Clock Cooridor this morning, dryly: "Oh yeah. This is sooo exciting."

McConnell: Republicans 'Will Work To Stop This Bill From Becoming Law'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell seconded Harry Reid's gratitude for Senate aides and clerks, but went right into a speech criticizing the health care bill.

McConnell (R-KY) said the bill is only possible after Democratic infighting, "sweetheart deals" and added there is a "truly outraged public."

"People who voted for this bill are going to get an earful when they finally get home for the first time since Thanksgiving," McConnell said.

"This fight is long from over," he said. "My colleagues and I will work to stop this bill from becoming law. That's the clear will of the American people."

Reid Thanks Senate Aides To Start Big Vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid opens debate on Christmas Eve - the Senate's first vote on this day since 1895 - with a string of thank-yous.

Reid thanks the chaplain, senate staffers, cloakroom employees and the clerks who have been doing much of the hundreds of pages of amendment-reading Republicans have forced.

He is thanking several aides by name, including the secretary of the Republican minority.

Rep. John Dingell At Capitol, Too

Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), the House's longest serving member, is on Capitol Hill as well.

Dingell this fall gave House Democrats a rousing speech reminding them of the failure of health care in the early 1990s and telling them now was the time to act.

VP Joe Biden Arrives For Historic Vote

Vice President Joe Biden has arrived on Capitol Hill to preside over the chamber during this morning's health care vote.

MSNBC had a live camera on the Capitol entrance as his motorcade pulled up.

Tweeting #HCR

Late last night the Democratic National Committee tweeted on the @BarackObama feed:

On the brink of a major milestone -- the Senate set to vote on the historic health insurance reform bill tomorrow at 7am ET.

Are you following us on Twitter?

Is Obama Growing Weary Of The GOP's 'Filibuster Everything' Attitude?

President Obama says that filibuster abuse is harmful to democracy.

Fragile Health Care Agreement Fraying? Whispers, But Not Yet

Progressives say they want another crack at negotiating health care, but it's still not clear if they are going to put any muscle behind their threats.

Biden Will Preside Over Senate Vote

The White House announced today that Vice President Biden will preside over the Senate's final vote on its health care reform bill Thursday morning.

Obama: I'll Start Working On Reconciliation During Christmas Recess

President Obama tells PBS that he's going to be "rolling up [his] sleeves" and will start working on merging the House and Senate bills before Congress re-convenes in mid-January.

Dems Differ On Timing Of Final Health Care Vote

Some Democrats, including Democrats within the White House, differ on when that final vote will take place. On the Hill, it's no different.