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Health care bill reaches 60 votes

Democratic leaders have reached the 60-vote threshold needed to begin debate on the health-care overhaul.

This afternoon, Sen. Blanche Lincoln announced she would vote to begin consideration of the bill on the Senate floor.

Because of long-standing Senate rules, it is necessary to reach 60 votes in order to overcome the threat of a filibuster by the minority. Democrats have 60 votes, but some conservative members of the caucus had remained on the fence .

Lincoln, who is up for reelection in 2010, was the last Democratic hold-out. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska announced he would support cloture on Friday, while Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana gave her support Saturday morning.

The vote is scheduled for 8 p.m. but could stretch until later tonight because of parliamentary maneuvers.

The bill is not in the clear yet, however. Democratic leaders still need 60 votes to end debate and a simple majority to pass the bill.

Update: The motion to begin debate on the bill passed on a party-line vote, 60-39.

-- Ryan Teague Beckwith, Congress.org