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Health Care Bill: The House last Saturday night a bill of sweeping health care by a vote of 220-215. With the passage of HR 3962, affordable health care for America Act, proponents of health reform took a major step forward, but turning the bill remains uncertain
It is unclear whether the Senate will vote on a version of health legislation for debate in that chamber. If the Senate approves the bill, the House and Senate would have to be reconciled into a single document and voted again.

Democrats need 218 votes to ensure passage of the law. On Saturday, it appeared that the vote will come down to the wire, as the intentions of some conservative Democrats are unknown.

In the final tally, 219 Democrats voted for the bill and 39 voted against.

Cao Rep. Joe (R-Louisiana) was the only Republican who voted for the bill.

Read the House bill (PDF)

Democrats began the countdown with eight seconds in the voting period and burst into applause when they passed legislation hotly debated. The House Republicans remained on the ground, some with arms folded.

“Oh, what a night,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a press conference after the House was adjourned for the night. He thanked President Obama and his colleagues who fought to get the bill passed.

The Republican National Committee issued a statement after the vote.