Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE). (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Call it deja vu. The Senate Democrats have passed yet another health care hurdle by yet another 60-40 vote with yet another apparent purchased vote.
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) professed his indecision about the latest health care vote up until last night's tally. However, in a "compromise" clearly aimed at securing Nelson's vote - and, therefore, the key 60th vote to help Dems avoid filibuster - Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Democrats reworked the health care bill at the last minute. The new version of the bill covers an estimated $45 million in expanded Medicaid costs that Nebraska would have had to pay over the next decade should the original bill have been passed. All other states anticipate additional Medicaid costs should health care reform be signed into law.
Nelson is taking crushing criticism from his constituents over his actions and votes in the health care debate. The senator - long supported by pro-life groups - is taking fire for voting with his fellow Democrats for the bill that continues to allocate federal funds for abortions in certain situations.
The chairman of Nebraska's Republican Party declared Nelson's decision to be the end of his political career in Nebraska, and within hours of Nelson's announcement, the state GOP launched a Web site , to collect funds to oust the Democrat in the 2012 election - http://www.givebentheboot.com.
Nelson joins Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La) as senators that have been accused of blatantly selling their votes in the health care battle. As was reported here, Landrieu went from "undecided" to the 60th vote when Sen. Reid inserted a provision in the health care bill that would allocate $300 million to her home state.
Yesterday's vote puts the Senate on track to pass health care legislation before Christmas. Two more procedural votes await the Senate, each requiring 60 votes, the first of these set for Tuesday morning. Final passage of the bill requires a simple majority, and that vote could come as late as 7 p.m. on Thursday, Christmas Eve, or the day before if Republicans agree.
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