Senate Republicans have agreed to end their filibuster of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health care reform bill a few hours early, allowing for a vote at 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
Under the agreement between Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), votes on final passage of the health care bill and a two-month extension to the debt limit sometime before early afternoon on Christmas Eve.
Republicans also have secured the right to offer between two and four votes to the long-term debt limit extension, which is expected to come to the floor sometime in February.
McConnell presented the deal to his Conference during the GOP’s weekly luncheon Tuesday. Although many Members had hoped to force the chamber to remain in session until Thursday night, with an ice storm threatening to disrupt travel to the Midwest, Republicans ultimately agreed to end the debate earlier than planned.
Reid and McConnell were expected to announce the exact timing of the Christmas Eve votes on the floor later in the day.
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