The Senate cleared another procedural hurdle fending off another GOP filibuster 60-39. There will be one more vote today, one tomorrow and then the final vote on Christmas Eve. With all signs pointing towards passage, Democrats in the House have begun to think about ways to reconcile the House bill with the Senate bill.
There are indications that abortion will be the critical issue, although Talking Points Memo reports that the Senate language should satisfy more Democrats in the House because of the deficit reductions and the omission of the public option. Those measures are expected to be hashed out early next month. Following will be a swift conference committee process and approval by both houses before presenting the bill for President Barack Obama’s signature on Feb. 1.