Senate Passed President Obama's health care reform Obama early Christmas gift

WASHINGTON - Merry Christmas Eve, Mr. President.

The Senate delivered its gift-wrapped health reform bill for President Obama at 7:16 a.m., voting on the day before Christmas for the first time since 1895 after 24 straight days of debate.

With Vice President Biden presiding, the Senate passed the nearly $900 billion overhaul along a straight party-line vote, 60 to 39, prompting applause from Democrats and spectators assembled in the Senate chamber.

"[It's] legislation that brings us toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle to reform America's health care system," President Obama told reporters later in the morning.

Democratic leaders now must discuss the large differences with the Senate's bill and the House's, then hold a conference committee to put the two measures together.
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