Democrats Defeat GOP Health Care Bill Filibuster Resolution 222-203

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Dems Defeat GOP Resolution To Force A Vote On The Senate Bill



U.S. House Democrats turned back an effort by Republicans Thursday to prevent them from using the so-called Slaughter Solution to enact the Senate's health care bill.

Democrats defeated a Resolution, 222-203, that Republicans had offered in an attempt to block the majority from approving the Senate's bill without directly voting on it.

The afternoon roll call served as something of a test vote for fence-sitting Democrats. Pennsylvania Rep. Jason Altmire, whose public hemming and hawing has become a daily ritual, voted with party leaders, as did others who have stated their opposition, like Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch and Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez.

But Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello, who voted for the House bill, voted against party leaders.

UPDATE:

Perriello was joined by fellow "yes" votes Michael Arcuri of New York, Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania and Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak, who voted for the first House bill but is leading a revolt against the Senate's restrictions on Abortions, voted against his leadership, along with allies, like Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Carney and Illinois Reps. Jerry Costello and Daniel Lipinski. Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper and Maine Rep. Mike Michaud also joined the Democrats voting with Republicans.

Sources: MSNBC, Politico