Senate Debate Could End By 5:05 Today

[Top Cat]

Senate debate on the reconciliation bill could end as early as 5:05 p.m., much earlier than originally thought.

Why? At first, the bill had 20 hours of debate time, evenly divided between the parties. This morning, Majority Leader Harry Reid yielded the rest of the Democrats' debate time, some seven and a half hours, leaving only the Republicans' eight and a half hours to go. Then leadership decided to split that time evenly between both sides.

That brings us, according to a leadership aide, to 5:05 p.m. It's possible there may be roll call votes interspersed among the debate. Because votes stop the clock, the debate would be extended.

After the debate ends, the vote-a-rama -- a series of votes on what could be dozens of Republican amendments -- begins.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/live/countdown-to-reform-wire/

[jaxx]

1. Gregg is about to have a cornary over medicare right now.

My gawd those wingers can lie!

[abluelady]

5. Ironic, Isn't It?

These people had years to help with health care reform and did nothing. How do they have the nerve to stand up and shout about it now? Everything they are proposing is in the bill. They just want to change some words in order for it to have to be voted on again and hopefully fail. One thiong you can say for them is that they are certainly transparent.;-)

[Happyhippychick]

2. I think they should give the 'pubes all 20 hours. Then set up cardboard cutouts of themselves and

come in after the 20th hour and vote.

[Inuca]

3. Nice move by Reid I think

in your face signal of how irrelevant their ranting and puffing is at this point, Viarga amendments included.

[bluestateguy]

4. The words "Senate" and "could" in the same sentence should always rouse suspicion

nt

[SpartanDem]

6. Pretty good move by Reid

[Top Cat]

10. I think so too.... Maybe we can get this done by Friday.

[lamp_shade]

7. Thanks. I heard something about that earlier but it didn't make sense to me. Now it does.

[DCBob]

8. The GOPers are giving up... I think.

I still dont trust them. They may still have some tricks up their sleeves.

[tallahasseedem]

9. I hope so...

I want to keep the momentum going our way.