Saturday, 21 Nov 2009 01:18 PM
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WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu says she will vote "yes" on a crucial test vote on the healthcare bill.
The Louisiana lawmaker made the long-awaited announcement in a speech on the Senate floor Saturday. Her comments came just hours before the 8 p.m. EST vote.
Landrieu says her vote is to move forward but that work still needs to be done on the bill.
Landrieu has been one of two Democratic holdouts; the other is Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes to prevail in the 100-seat Senate. The 40 Republicans are unanimously opposed.
A largely overlooked provision in the Senate bill would send $100 million to Louisiana to help it cover costs for Medicaid, the federal-state healthcare program for the poor.
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