The House narrowly approved the ten-year 1.2 trillion dollar plan. Just one Republican gave the thumbs up. It's now in the Senate's hands. Even though Democrats are the majority there, they may not have enough votes to stop a Republican-led filibuster that could delay or even stop debate.
"If they decide with the first amendment to start a filibuster and drag this thing out day after day after day in an effort to kill it, then we're going to have to consider alternatives. But if it is a good faith debate bringing up the important issues putting the choices before the Senators leading to a timely vote, leading us to passage before the end of the year, I think that's what America needs," says Dick Durbin.
President Obama says he wants to sign a health care bill into law by the end of January. But before that happens, the Senate must pass legislation and then negotiate it with the House.