minority leader mitch mcconnell: >> i guarantee you that people who voted for this bill are going to get an earful when they finally get home for the first time since thanksgiving.

mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we will go home and hear our constituents or elegances bel preon't believe that. i believe that the negativity that leader mitch mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the floor has peaked. now, when people learn what is actually in the bill and all the good it does, it will become more and more popular because it is good for america, good for the american people, and the true symbol of what we can do if we all pull together. [no audio] >> after the senate passed the health care bill, the president spoke briefly with reporters at the white house. >> members of the senate voted to pass a health care bill that was revolutionary purposes a century-long struggle to reform the american health-care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first call for reform in 1912, seven presidents, democrats and republicans alike, have taken up the cause of reform. time and time again, such efforts have been blocked by special interest lobbyists would have perpetuated the status quo that works better for the insurance industry than it does for the american p

ok, thank you. >> mitch mcconnell on health care this morning.ouse is going to gavel in. we also will hear from tom coburn right here in the radio and tv gallery. we will bring that to you after the house session. and heavy snow is falling all over the region, but that is not keeping the senate from working. the defense spending bill is now back to health care. since 8:35 this morning, a clerk has been reading the manager's amendment. this is expected to last until 3:00 this afternoon, after which they are expected to begin debating health care. it is expected get an agreement will be reached after ben nelson agreed to support the bill. he says he will build for the bill after winning concessions on abortion. the democrats as he would not have supported the bill without the change. the vote gives senate leaders the 60 votes they need to pass the bill. you can see coverage of the senate on c-span t2. "(d) quality measures. again, we are anticipating remarks from tom coburn. we will have that for you like. now to live coverage of the house for a sh

minority leader mitch mcconnell. >> what we know for sure, no matter what kind of deals are struck behind closed doors, what we know for sure is that this bill will include a half trillion dollars in medicare cuts, $400 billion in new taxes, and higher insurance premiums for everyone else. that isn't going to change. that is the problem that the american people are fully aware of. the polls are overwhelming. every single poll that's been taken, every public poll that i've seen for weeks has shown opposition to it. >> reporter: and just outside the capital building today, conservative activists rallied against the health care bill again. >> lehrer: for more on the story now from >> lehrer: and for more on the story now from naftali bendavid, congressional correspondent for the "wall street journal," and amy walter, editor-in-chief of the hotline, the "national journal's" political daily. o not correct to say there is a deal, right? >> there's not a deal quite yet but there's no question that they're getting closer. certainly dropping the medicare buy-in provision was huge in terms of attra

we cannot worry about that, mitch mcconnell, we cannot worry about those things.ll can get together. we have got to get together. we have no alternative. there is nothing left. it's time for politics to be put aside on a back r terhune. [applause] -- on the back burner. [applause] [applause] [applause] and we must lead by example and not by force. [applause] security is foremost. this nation must always be strong militarily, for no other reason than to protect itself. it has to come first. but we have to know how use it. we've got to use our diplomacy more and more and more. we have to avoid these perils before they come before us and then it takes too long. we cannot keep fighting wars. [applause] we have got hungry people to feed. homeless people carried [applause] -- homeless people. [applause] homeless and ill-housed people to shelter. [applause] and young people to be educated. [applause] and so, on this occasion, i applaud the congress for what it has done. our three branches of government, have a wonderful founding by our founding fathers. our legislative b

we cannot worry about that, mitch mcconnell, we cannot worry about those things.gether. we have got to get together. we have no alternative. there is nothing left. it's time for politics to be put aside on a back r terhune. [applause] -- on the back burner. [applause] [applause] [applause] and we must lead by example and not by force. [applause] security is foremost. this nation must always be strong militarily, for no other reason than to protect itself. it has to come first. but we have to know how use it. we've got to use our diplomacy more and more and more. we have to avoid these perils before they come before us and then it takes too long. we cannot keep fighting wars. [applause] we have got hungry people to feed. homeless people carried [applause] -- homeless people. [applause] homeless and ill-housed people to shelter. [applause] and young people to be educated. [applause] and so, on this occasion, i applaud the congress for what it has done. our three branches of government, have a wonderful founding by our founding fathers. our legislative branch is as s

now a portion of today's for debate, beginning with minority leader mitch mcconnell of kentucky. >> first, i want to extend a welcome to the president who is coming up to the capitol today to meet with some democrats on the subject of the health care bill. so for they have voted to cut medicare three times, cuts that previously described as immoral and irresponsible. cuts that made it impossible for the president to keep his pledge that people who like their plan can keep it. health care, cuts that will reduce benefits for nearly 11 million american seniors on medicare advantage, cuts that raid medicare instead of fixing it, cuts the american people vehemently, vehemently oppose. democrats are in a tough situation on this bill, mr. president. they want to expand the government's reach into health care, but they don't have the money. and they don't have the support more importantly of the american people. so what did they do? they decided to take the money they need out of medicare, and that's only made their health care plan even less popular with the american people. now, the gregg amend

. >> a short time later senate manage or the leader mitch mcconnell held a press conference to discusswhy he is opposed. this is 15 minutes. >> it's important that we are having it read so we can figure is it out liar 300 million other americans. i'm here with a message for the american people this morning,w democrat leaders sprung a new piece of legislation on the mesh people that would have a hume impact. this is not renaming a post office democrats are forcing a vote over the weekend countying on the fact that american people are preoccupied with christmas and not paying attention to what they are doing. we know from all the survey data that americans are overwhelmingly opposed to this bill. this bill is a train wreck of historic proportions. they are so eager to claim a victory, they are so willing to jam it through. here are a few things americans need to know. in medicare, we note bill slashes hundreds of billions of dollars of medicare to fund massive government beurocracy. we know there are cuts to hospitals and nursing homes. we know there are cuts to home healthcare and hospi

president -- >> that was senator mitch mcconnell from kentucky. he's the minority leader now. let's listen to the majority leader, senator harry reid from nevada. >> more and more americans have come down with the flu, or even developed diabetes, suffered a stroke more and more americans who have a skin condition are dying rather than being cared. and much more of our attention has consumed this health care debate and the national study than by harvard university found that 4500 times this year more than 120 times per day, an average of 10 every ten minutes, an american died as a result the numbers are numbing. they don't even include those that have had health insurance but died because they couldn't afford a plan that met their most basic needs. they are the only place that they are dying for lack of possible. to make matters worst, we are paying for that privilege. so do numbers that can't afford. medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in america. we have before us the ability to provide quality health care to every american and we have the ability to treat our u

mitch mcconnell, because now we can really see this. -- and thank god for mitch mcconnell, because now now we know when we vote what we really want done, not a democratic way of pushing it through. guess what? it is turning on them, because they did it in the back room. host: "the washington post" story saying that republicans are expected to make a similar move 1 . introduces the revised senate bill, which is likely to top -- when harry reid introduces the revised senate bill, which is likely to top 2000 pages. guest: they have a right to ask for this. frankly, this is to be expected. you mentioned earlier the memo from senator judd gregg. this is what they read as the minority to force -- i believe it will take a date to read it, just to read it out loud. -- take a day to read it, just to read it out loud. a time to come up with more plants, to exercise their right. democrats call at stalling. -- will call it stalling, republicans call it exercising their rights. i like to see the fact that folks are paying attention. this legislation affects every american. you should go online, go

caller: i think any time mitch mcconnell talks he is just obstructing and delaying everything. host: thanks for the call. this editorial from " the philadelphia inquirer." the essence is from this paragraph -- host: this twitter comment saying -- take hunter from cq and roll call has been tracking this and she joins us this morning. thank you for being here again. guest: thank you for having me. host: the senate committee at 9:45 a.m. this morning, one more procedural vote. what you looking for? guest: it looks like the outcome is more or less all but assured. democrats have twice got and 60 votes to break republican filibusters on various parts of the bill. and the final one of those so- called cloture votes is coming at about 2:00 or shortly thereafter. that would set up a vote on final passage of the bill it o'clock a.m. tomorrow. host: this is the third of a series of votes to end cloture. can you explain why this took place and why the process happen based on the reid amendments. guest: republicans have been saying for weeks they are opposed to the bill. they remain unifie

in a couple of minutes were listening to another conference call from senator mitch mcconnell who isnate. we've also get his reaction to the president's speech. the next will go to david from long island. go ahead please. >> hello, i'm going to say that i am opposed to the war. i believe that the war is a fraud. we spent billions of dollars and can't it be the group. they fight out of pickup trucks. they used missiles left over from the 80's. i think it's similar to vietnam. vietnam was based on a place which is now considered a fraud. i think 9/11 is questionable. there are documentaries that supplement a movie to that. alex jones predicted 9/11 in the summer of 2001. >> 9/11 is questionable in what way? >> i think there's a lot of problems with what happened there. u.s. people pleasing options on the airlines that were attacked. they made a lot of money off the bat. you can look at 9/11 options. peter jennings covered it. so did 9/11 families. the 9/11 commission put out a book called on president and commissioners hamilton and kean said the commission was set up to fail. >> david,

minority leader mitch mcconnell also proposed votes on two other amendments.ublican motion to send it back to committee, so we could see possible votes on health care amendments today. live coverage, now, of the u.s. senate on c-span2. the presiding officer: the senate will come to order. the chap lane, dr. barry black will -- the chaplain, dr. barry black will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. compassionate god, we need your help to meet the challenges of our time. manifest your might for the honor of your name. surround our lawmakers with the shield of your favor so that their work will accomplish your will on earth. use them so effectively that the hopes and dreams you have for your world might be more fully realized in our day. lord, open their minds to a wisdom that can change and shape our times according to your plan. and, order, bless the many faithful staffers who labor long hours behind the scenes of the legislative process. we pray in your merciful name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegi

this is a happy day mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we're going to go home and hear our constituents rail against this bill. i don't believe that. i believe that the negativity that leader mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the floor has peaked and now when people learn what is actually in the bill and all the good it does, it is going to become more and more popular because it is good for america, good for the american people, and a true symbol of what we can do if we all pull together. >> over at the white house, president obama reacted having delayed his departure for a holiday break in hawaii until the senate passed the health care package. >> good morning, everybody. in a historic vote that took place this morning, members of the senate joined their colleagues in the house of representatives to pass a landmark health insurance reform package, legislation that brings us toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle to reform america's health care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven presidents, democrats and republicans alik

host: republican leader mitch mcconnell is now on the senate floor speaking. >> otherwise, they would rush it through congress on christmas eve. the first time this body has had a vote on the day before christmas was in more than a century. this was supposed to produce a bill to help health care in america. instead, we are left with party- line votes in the middle of the night, a couple of sweetheart deals to get it over the finish line and a truly outraged public. a problem they were told would be fixed was not. i guarantee you that people who voted for this bill will get in your faan earful when they get r the first time since thanksgiving. they know there is widespread opposition to this monstrosity. i want to assure you, mr. president, this fight is not over. despite his long from over. my colleagues will stop this bill from becoming law. that is the clear will of the american people and we will continue to fight on their behalf. host: let's tell you about some of the statistics about the senate debate on health care. in looking over the breadth of the debate from september 20, so

mitch mcconnell. >> friends, fellow members of congress, trustees of the ronald reagan presidential foundatione a great man's life. as we dedicate this statute in this place of honor, we affirm that man's treasure place in our hearts and in our nation's storied history. many today are too young to remember what a difference he made. but rather than recite a history lesson, let me just say this. when america thought our best days way behind us, ronald reagan showed they still lay ahead. when the world thought freedom was in retreat, ronald reagan proved that liberty was still the strongest force in history. and when many thought freedom should negotiate with tyranny, ronald reagan had the courage to call tierney by its name, and to say that freedom would win. ronald reagan is remembered as one of the giants of the 20th century. he deserves our admiration, and he deserves the statue. the real ronald reagan stood taller than any statute. we know the source of the strength. she is here with us. nancy, together, you end president reagan lifted our nation when we needed it most. america is still gra

of course, mitch mcconnell, my friend. he lives in kentucky.ible] i learned over the years that the leadership needed a little extra input. judd gregg, mitch filling that role. thinking strategically. i just have such tremendous respect for him. i admire what you're doing now. the minority leader, i know the majority leader is much better. keep thinking positively, match. and be nice, harry. [laughter] let me say how much i appreciate the artist. steve, where are you? they're your. i thought you were going to be on the end. stand up. [applause] i actually have not seen the finished product. he was surprised at that. i said -- he asked why not, i said, what can i do now? i only had one request. make me look better than i actually do. somebody observed the twinkle in my eye was not there. trisha took that out. [laughter] i think he did a great job. i did not realize what a long and detailed evolutionary process -- i thought he would take a few shots and there would be. -- there i would be. i appreciate what you have done. i appreciate the work th

what is mitch mcconnell doing tomorrow?"ht now, there are familys when don't have health insurance and as a consequence of somebody getting sick in their family have been bankrupt. right now, there are small businesses who have been doing the right thing by their employees and just got a notice from their insurance companies that their premiums went up 25 p30 p40%, and that business owner is having to make a decision, do i start dropping coverage for my employees, or do i have to lay off one employee to keep coverage for everybody else? those kinds of decisions are happening right now. i intend to work as hard as i have to work, especially after coming this far over the course of the year, to make sure we finally close the deal. >> lehrer: you're not going to sit down at the table with conferees, a list-- spoken or unspoken-- of your own killer provisions, you have to get them out thereof or a favorite provision that you want in there your own preference? >> obviously, i've got some very smart people who are here working day

senate minority leader mitch mcconnell blastethe deal- making at a sunday afterno news conference. >> let me ju say that the x payers of kentucky are not excited, not at l excited, about having to underwte the special deals that we aprently made for nebraska, vermont, and we now len maybe massachusetts. so i'm goingo remind the tax payers of our ate that th're subsidizing these other threstates because thr senators apparently extracted a ice for passin this bill. >> reporr: even with the deal, nels and independent democrat josh lieberman warned that the senate legislation must not be altered substantially when it's merged wi the more libel house bill. the american medical association joined tay in supporting the sene version after refung to back the house bill. meanwhile, rd said talk about a conference w premature. >> we have to pass thibill in the senate first. that is our direction. that is our guidinlight. we'll rry about next steps a later time. >> repter: the next step in the path to passing a bill cometomorrow morning when the senate will ta another procedural vote. >> ifill: w

mirity leader mitch mcconnell. >> what wenow for sure, no matter what kind of deals ar struckehind closed doors, what we know for sure that is bill will include a half trillion dollars imedicare cuts, $400 bilon in new taxes, and higheinsurance premiums f everyone else. th isn't going to change. that is the prlem that the erican people are fully aware of e polls are overelming. every single polthat's been take every public poll that i've sn for weeks has shown opposition to it >> reporter: andust outside the capital builng today, coervative activists rallied against thhealth care bill agai lehrer: for more on the story now from >> lehrer: a for more on the story w from naftali bendavid, ngressional correspondent fo the "wall street journal and amy walter, editor-ichief of the hotle, the "national journal' political daily. o not rrect say there is a deal, right? >> there'sot a deal quite yet but there's nouestion thathey're getting closer. certainly dropping the medicare buy-in ovision was huge in terms of attcting people like joe lieberman an possibly olympia sw. certainly decratic leader

minority leader mitch mcconnell: >> i guarantee you that people who voted for this bill are going to get an earful when they finally get home for the first time since thanksgiving. >> reporter: but democratic leaders were triumphant as they spoke to reporters afterward. >> this is a victory because we've affirmed that the ability to live a healthy life in our great country is a right and not merely a privilege for the select few. i look forward to working with my friends in the house so we can send a bill to the president as soon as possible. >> this is probably the most important vote that every sitting member of the senate will cast in their tenure here. and i'm just proud to have been a part of it, and i thank my colleagues for staying with this. >> reporter: and president obama had his own words of praise at the white house. >> having passed reform bills in both the house and the senate, we now have to take up the last and most important step and reach an agreement on a final reform bill that i can sign into law. and i look forward to working with members of congress in both cham

minority leader mitch mcconnell. >> we all know medicare is going broke now. in seven years, they're going to take $460 billion out of it-- not to make it more sustainable but to start a new program for a whole different set of americans, and now they want to expand coverage even further. it hardly makes any sense to me. >> reporter: meanwhile, groups representing doctors and hospitals-- who've backed reform in general-- also questioned the wisdom of expanding medicare. rich umbdenstock is president of the american hospital association. >> the ability of people under 65 to buy into medicare certainly helps on the coverage side, but it greatly concerns hospitals on the revenue side because medicare chronically underpays hospitals. our latest data shows that medicare pays 91 cents on the dollar. so this is moving more people into a program that underpays hospitals. it really compromises hospitals ability to continue to offer the level of services they want and need to provide. >> reporter: majority leader reid hoped to quiet the doubts and stay on schedule for g

senate republican leader mitch mcconnell criticized the plan. >> tarp was a loan.a loan to be paid back and we know in fact that a number of the banks are paying it back. under the law as i understand it, any money paid back goes to the deficit. >> woodruff: the president, in his speech, suggested republicans helped create today's big deficits. and he dismissed partisan criticism of his spending plans. >> there are those who claim we have to choose between paying down our deficits on the one hand, and investing in job creation and economic growth on the other. but this is a false choice. >> woodruff: still, a top house republican, eric cantor of virginia, said his party simply believes the president's ideas are wrong. >> that is not something that we think worked back in january, nor do we believe that it'll work again today. you just can't spend money that we don't have and keep doing it. >> woodruff: in the meantime, a survey today by the "business roundtable" found the number of major companies planning layoffs in the next six months outnumber those planning to

mirity leader mitch mcconnell. >> we all know medicaris going broknow. in sev years, they're going to ta $460 billion out of it-- not toake it more sustainable but start a new program for a whole different set americans, and now they wanto expa coverage even further. it hardlmakes any sense to me. >> reporter: mnwhile, groups presenting doctors and hospitals-- who've bked reform in general-- alsouestioned thwisdom of expanding medicare. rich umbdenstock ipresident of the american hospital sociation. >> the ability of people und to buy into medicare ceainly helps on the coverage side, but it greatly concern spitals on the revenue side because medicarehronically underps hospitals. our latest data shows that medica pays 91 cents on the doar. so ts is moving more people into a program that underpay hospitals. it really compromises hospits ability to contie to offer the vel of services they want an needo provide. >> reporr: majority leader reid hoped to quiet e doubts and stay on schedule f getting the senate to vote on the fil bill by ristmas. ifill: major q

you will hear host with mitch mcconnell, and joseph lieberman, with ben nelson from nebraska. will hear democratic senator warren, you can listen to all five sunday morning talk shows at c-span radio, 91.5, and on the web at c-span.org. and you can follow us on facebook and twitter. >> michael < ççfauntroy is u!ç guest fáçóqçtp?hw3tonight on ' a."w3 >> monday çççnights ççon c u! host: later this oo3week "time" magazine will continue with their person of the year. we will to see who the magazine should select.ç the çnumbers to call are on yo screen.xdç we welcome our listeners on c-span radio and on w3çmyw3su' 130. the magazine will announce its selection in a çseries of interviews, beginning on we@gesday, and "time magazine" is out on thursday so in advance of that, the decision has been made. but who do you think should be the important of year? you can send in your twitter comment at twitter.com/cspanwj or an e-mail to the journalc-span.org. host: who do you think that they select? caller: sarah palin. host: why? caller: she's made support of transferring into s

minority leader mitch mcconnell said on the floor, he and senator reid, majority leader are working on some kind of agreement. he didn't specify what the agreement would be, to presumably move up, potentially buy a couple hours the vote on final passage. there is ice storm predicted for christmas eve. i think there is some concern about senators being able to get home to their families. >> is it likely we'll hear anything once the party caucuses meet as senator reid set to say something on that? >> in some ways the ball is more in the republicans court than it is in the democrats court right now. seems as though senator snowe said earlier today she said republicans will talk about the issue at conference lunch beginning momentarily littlely. we might have some kind of news as to whether some of the more, some of the members in the republican conference, people like tom coburn and jim demint, been very adamant they will stretch this out as long as possible, whether they will continue to insist upon that. or there might be a way to move this up. >> lastly there is real news on house side

president triet >>> now conference on senate health care legislation as minority leader mitch mcconnell and senator john mccain. following that, democrats jack reid and mark begich talk with reporters about defense spending. >> well good morning, everyone. the majority leader signaled that he is going to unveil tomorrow morning the most significant piece of domestic legislation in memory. and his goal after introducing the measure in the morning presumably would be to force a vote. some 36 hours after that. what we know for sure at the moment we have seen the pelosi bill and reid bill but none of my constituents are his constituents, not senator mccain's constituents, none of you, in fact no one who couldn't be collected in a phone booth has seen -- if i can find it. here it is. have seen the missing bill. [laughter] which is a mystery to virtually everyone apparently up to and including the assistant democratic leader of the samet. so dismissing bill will be strong presumably. we will see some time in the morning. and in 36 hours we will begin to run. as we've pointed out repeatedly, t

let me share with you what mitch mcconnell said yesterday off the senate floor and where the healthcareate is and is going. >> we saw two weeks ago in a gallup poll that there was a 9% more americans opposed then supporting. we saw a 40% more opposing in another poll. now in the cnn will we see 61% opposed. the argument i your friends on the other side making, they are employing their members to make history. many things may draw history have been mistakes. if this bill were passed in face of overwhelming opposition, having failed to achieve the goal of holding down health care costs, it would be viewed as a historic mistake. guest: i still enjoy these kinds of conversations where you get to the fundamental issues separating left and right. norman talks about a social compact as if we did not have one prior to franklin roosevelt when fact we did. it is called the constitution. it includes the 10th amendment which says all power is not specifically given did not given specifically to the federal government are given to the people. the healthcare bill is a nuclear bomb for that. secondly,

part of the debate on the healthcare included the current republican leader mitch mcconnell of kansastkpls for rrbing healthcare on christmas eve week. here is part of what they to say. >> some would argue we should spend more time and attention on this bill than most, if not every previous bill we have considered. the majority obviously disagrees. why? because this bill has become a political nightmare. a literal political nightmare for them as evidenced by more and more public opinion polls including the "wall street journal" and nbc poll out this morning. they know americans are overwhelmingly opposed toç it they want to get it over with as quickly as possible. americans are already outraged at the fact that democratic leaders took their eyes off the ball rushing the process on a partisan line that makes the situation even worse. host: this from "new york times" this morning making sense of the healthcare debate writing that about a bill that passed signed into law by president reagan in 1988 the medicare catastrophic coverage act. some veterans of that experience say the lessons

speaking mentioned mitch mcconnell. >> mr. president, the plain language, the plain language of the senate precedent, the manual that governs the senate procedure is by unanimous consent of all members was required before the senator from vermont could withdraw his amendment while was being read. unanimous consent. >> shortly after that senator durbin explained the democratic perspective. >> as they were reading it came to our attention senator sanders of vermont had authority under senate rules to withdraw his amendment and stopped reading. i wasn't aware of that because i can't recall that ever happened since i've been here but i made a point since many years ago i was parliamentarian of the illinois state senate and tried to read the rules time to time. rule 15 section 2 in the senate, standing rules of the senate it says a motion must be withdrawn or modified by the mover at any time before the decision of an amendment or ordering of yellmac dee dee, yays and nays. >> and kate hunter of congressional quarterly both sides a

this is a happy day mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we're going to go home and hear our constituents rail against this bill. i don't believe that. i believe that the negativity that leader mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the floor has peaked and now when people learn what is actually in the bill and all the good it does, it is going to become more and more popular because it is good for america, good for the american people, and a true symbol of what we can do if we all pull together. >> over at the white house, president obama reacted having delayed his departure for a holiday break in hawaii until the senate passed the health care package. >> good morning, everybody. in a historic vote that took place this morning, members of the senate joined their colleagues in the house of representatives to pass a landmark health insurance reform package, legislation that brings us toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle to reform america's health care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven presidents, democrats and republicans alik

mitch mcconnell. >> friends, fellow members of congress, trustees of the ronald reagan presidential foundationlife. as we dedicate this statute in this place of honor, we affirm that man's treasure place in our hearts and in our nation's storied history. many today are too young to remember what a difference he made. but rather than recite a history lesson, let me just say this. when america thought our best days way behind us, ronald reagan showed they still lay ahead. when the world thought freedom was in retreat, ronald reagan proved that liberty was still the strongest force in history. and when many thought freedom should negotiate with tyranny, ronald reagan had the courage to call tierney by its name, and to say that freedom would win. ronald reagan is remembered as one of the giants of the 20th century. he deserves our admiration, and he deserves the statue. the real ronald reagan stood taller than any statute. we know the source of the strength. she is here with us. nancy, together, you end president reagan lifted our nation when we needed it most. america is still grateful. you will

mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we are going to go home and hear our constituents complain about this bill. i do not believe that. i believe the negativity that leader mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the bill months -- on the floor as pete. as people would give the bill, it will become more popular because it is good for america, good for the american people, and the true symbol of what we can do if we all pull together. >> [inaudible] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2009] >> good morning, everybody. in a historic moment that took place this morning, members of the senate to join their colleagues in the house to pass the landmark health insurance reform. legislation brings us to the end of the nearly century-long struggle to reform america pause health care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first call for reform in 1912, the president's, democrats and republicans alike, have taken up the cause. time and time again, such efforts have been fought by special interest lobbyists who want the

you'll hear from mitch mcconnell, tom kyle, and another. >> we are about 10 hours away from one of the most important things we have had in decades. that will be the first vote on this now 2700 page monstrosity that seeks to restructure one sixth of our economy one of the reasons -- of our economy. one of the reasons and needed to be read yesterday was to figure out what was in it and find what special deals have been cut. we also know, as a result of a retort from the director -- as a result of a report from the director of the cbo that came up today, there is more reason we should not try to jam through legislation this rapidly. it is called the director's blogged. it came out today. it had a correction regarding the long-term effects. let me just quote the first sentence. "related to the long-term budgetary effects," what they're saying is, if you look at the second 10 years, they could be off as much as $0.50 trillion. this is a cbo correction, 24 hours after the first cbo estimate. that is an important new development today. we are learning more about the sweetheart deals that hav

>> shortly later, republicans held a briefing on health care, beginning with minority leader mitch mcconnell. >> good morning, everybody. i hope you live on the hill. incredible day. it is still coming down. i have a rugged commute. i live about a half block from the hart building. i left the suburbs 20 years ago. i cannot take it. i am not even sure that a pizza stores are going to be able to deliver tonight. is everybody all set? let me just say in the beginning that if they were proud of this bill, they would not be doing it this way, jamming it through in the middle of the night in the last weekend before christmas, and that sums up, i think, but we have seen on display here as they try to bob and weave and hide from the american people who have made it abundantly clear they do not support what they know about this bill. now we have got an expanded version now, and it is important we're having a red so we can figure out like 300 million other americans and all of you what is in it. so i am sure with a message for the american people. this morning, democratic leaders in washington stood o

corp. 2009] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> senate minority leader mitch mcconnellthers on health care legislation this morning as the senate continues working behind the scenes on that measure. debate today in the senate is on fiscal year 2010 spending. just a short time ago senators voted 60-34 to limit debate on that legislation. a vote is expected tomorrow. senator john mccain talking about fiscal year 2010 spending. there might be remarks on health care this weekend, formal debate is expected to continue on monday. you can watch the senate live on c-span 2 of the. >> the health and human services department hosted a seminar friday on government research and development of new flu vaccines. speakers include h.h.s. secretary and the director of the national center for allergy and inif he can issues diss -- infectious diseases. from the national institutes of health in maryland, this is about 2 1/2 hours. >> good morning everyone and welcome to n.i.h. i'm bill haul with the office of public affairs at theÑi departmt of health and human services. i welcome you toda

ok, thanks, everybody. >> as you heard from a mitch mcconnell, republican leaders will be bringing upthe debate resumes at 2:30 eastern. you can watch it live on c- span2. in remarks earlier today, president obama confirmed that he will stay at the white house until the senate completes its work on health care legislation. the president commented after meeting with several small community bank ceo's. >> all right, everybody. it is good to see all of you. i just completed a meeting with 12 regional community banks, to take the same conversation i had with some of the larger banks last week, and that i have been having with co's and companies across the country over the last year, and that is how do we continue to consolidate the gains we have made during the course of this year in terms of economic recovery, but most importantly, how do we move forward over the next year so that businesses are getting the capital that they need and that we are starting to see people fired again -- hired again, able to finance their homes and college educations and so forth? community banks serve a vita

senator mitch mcconnell, jon kyl and tomko burn. ity leader mcconnell refer to a change in the congressional budget office's estimate of the healthcare bill. and this from roll called to, the c.b.o. sent a letter to senate leaders informing them that an error in its analysis of the healthcare reform bill has resulted in less estimated deficit savings projected for the decade after 2019. quote correcting that error has no impact on the estimated effects of legislation during the 2010-2019 period. the letter continues, however, the correction reduces the degree to which the legislation would lower federal deficits in the decade after 2019. again that's a roll called to. >> look live now at the senate floor debate continue fog the 17th day on healthcare. republicans and democrats alternating time debating in one-hour blocks. this will lead up to a key test vote that will happen at 1:00 a.m. monday. it will be the first of three votes leading up to a vote on final passage which could happen on christmas eve. you can see the senate debate

session began today debating health care legislation, and a portion of the debate beginning with mitch mcconnell of kentucky. mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the republican leader. mr. mcconnell: first, i want to extend a welcome to the president who is coming up to the capitol today to meet with democrats on the suggest of the health care bill. so far, they have voted to cut medicare three times, cuts they previously described as immoral and irresponsible. cuts that made it impossible for the president to keep his pledge that people who like our plans can keep them, cuts that will reduce the quality of home health care, cuts that will reduce benefits for nearly 11 million american seniors on medicare advantage, cuts that raid medicare instead of fixing it, cuts the american people vehemently, vehemently oppose. democrats are in a tough situation on this bill, mr. president. they want to expand the government's reach into health care, but they don't have the money. and they don't have the support more importantly of the american people. so what did they do? they decided to t

and she writes that for many congressman, mitch mcconnell and others she is going to give them a dvd of "mr. smith goes to washington" so they can see the proper use of a filibuster. next caller from alabama, go ahead. caller: the overall, 60% unfavorable opinion of the health care bill, and the democrats have still forced it through. the democratic leadership, harry reid and what not. i'm sorry, i'm a little bit nervous. but how ben nelson and others had to get the big basically, "give me" gives in order to push it through. i think it will be a big defeat in the 2010 elections. >> the following -- host: a follow-up to the health care story. he also writes in this piece, a little background on the longest session. here is jacksonville, fla., bruce, your foot -- favored political story of the year. caller: i would have to go along with the debacle of the health care bill. the jump in net was on earlier that was speaking about, you know, the republicans not contributing anything. well, i guess he did not watch television because they had the closed-door secret sessions and no republica

mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we are going to go home and your our constituents rail against this bill. i do not believe that. i believe the negativity that leader mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the floor has peaked. now, when people learn what is actually in the bill and all the good it does, it will become more popular, because it is good for america, could for the people, and a true -- good for the people, and a true symbol of what we can do if we all pull together. >> thank you, everybody. >> after is the senate passed its health care bill, the president spoke briefly with reporters at the white house. >> hello, guys. good morning, everybody. in a historic vote that took place this morning, members of the senate joined their colleagues in the house of representatives to pass a landmark health insurance reform package legislation that brings us toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle to reform america's health care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven presidents, democrats and republicans alike, have taken u

mitch mcconnell says so.crying th bill, please, please feel free to give up your medicare and your social security. they are after all government programs and i would t(implore you to please give it up. host: on twitter, joe writes that reform doesn't mean it will hurt the deficit, those taxes could be used for other purposes. going to barry from massachusetts. i think we have just lost barry, to shelly from tampa, florida. caller: yes, of course this is -- hello. host: hi, you are on the air. caller: of course this is being rushed, if it weren't rushed they wouldn't have to take a vote at 1 o'clock in the morng. when have they been taking a rushed vote, and you are told that nothing good happens after midnight. and else -- nelson said he would reform health care, and medicare is going bankrupt, we have heard this for months. you can't just add another program, and the one thing that people are not screaming at the roof tops. they say health care reform now but nothing is enacted for four years. it's all tax

mitch mcconnell said on the floor that we are going to go home and your our constituents rail against not believe that. i believe the negativity that leader mcconnell and others have continually displayed on the floor has peaked. now, when people learn what is actually in the bill and all the good it does, it will become more popular, because it is goodokçó for americqcould for çv:thew3 people, and a true -,d symbol ofç what we can do if we l pull together. çq>> thank you, everybody. w3çñrxdqç 7roxdç >> after is the senate passed its health care bill, the president spoke briefly with reporters at the white house. >> hello, guys. good morning, everybody. in a historic vote that took place this morning, members of the senate joined their colleagues in the house of representatives to pass a landmark health insurance reform package legislation that brings us toward the end of a t(çónearlyç century-long strugo reform america's health care system. ever since teddy roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven presidents, democrats and republicans alike, have taken up the cause of

senate gop leader mitch mcconnell speaks burst at this 50 minute briefing for the >> >> it is still warm >> i can tell everyone in the room is so happy to be here on a saturday morning. good morning. i think a couple of observations would be timely. yesterday, we heard from cms and cnn. the actuary down there reported that this bill will not been the health care cost curve. i would call your attention to a letter in 2009 from six of our democratic colleagues. cms, says that the bill does not pass that test the other entity we heard from was cnn. i cite them as just one example of growing evidence that the american people -- this is growing evidence that the american people are opposed to this bill. we saw two weeks ago that there was a 9% more americans that opposed the bill then supported it. now, we see 61% opposed and only 36% in favor. our friends on the other side should make -- they are employing their members to make history. many things have happened throughout history and many of them have been mistakes. if this is passed in the face of the overwhelming opposition of the america