Reid Plans Senate Health Care Debate Next Week

Meredith Jessup | November 10, 2009 12:31 PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid seems pretty optimistic about the future of the Dems' health care reform proposal in the Senate. Roll Call is reporting that Reid expects to bring the health care legislation to the Senate floor next week and believes the Senate will pass a bill by Christmas.

The Congressional Budget Office continues crunching numbers on the Senate bill, but Reid says he wouldn't rule out trying to begin the debate on the bill before the CBO analysis is complete. Reid also faces an uphill battle in bringing his party together behind the ban on funding for abortions and the public option. And in response to Sen. Joe Lieberman's warning that he would join the GOP in opposing the measure, Reid said he spoke to Lieberman and is "confident we'll work something out."