After rigorous debate the Senate Voted 60 – 40 to close debate and vote on their version of health care reform. The vote was entirely along party lines with 58 Democrats and 2 Independent Senators voting in favor and all 40 Republicans voting against the amendment.
The health care reform bill and mangers amendment now becomes an amendment to an already passed house bill HR 3590 Services Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009. This move by the senate means that there will not be a reconciliation process with the house version.
Now the Senate will vote on the amendment and the bill on Christmas Eve, and if it passes, the next step is the bill goes to the house to vote up or down on the bill (Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act) with the amendment (Health Care Reform).
This move completely bypasses the conference committee route and ensures that the Senate version if passed by the house is what will become law.