Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln's name was in the news as her health care vote proved to be a game changer.
She played an important role in the senate debate Saturday as she became the 60th person to commit to moving the health care bill to the floor debate.
"Today Madame President I am thinking about the Arkansas family that cannot pay their mortgage because of their sick child. I am thinking about the Arkansas small business owner who told me that 20 percent of the cost of running his business goes to health insurance for him and his workers. And I'm thinking about the 450,000 Arkansans who have no health insurance," said Senator Lincoln.
Senator Lincoln committed to moving the debate forward Saturday, preventing a Republican filibuster.
Senator Lincoln says voting yes does not mean she agrees with everything in the bill, but she believes it is more important to begin the debate.
State Senator Gilbert Baker issued a statement saying while Senator Lincoln and the Democrats won, Americans lost.
He says the vote shows Senator Lincoln has no concern for what's best for Arkansans. The House passed their version of the health care bill a few weeks ago.
If the Senate also passes a bill, a congressional committee will then merge the two bills into a consensus version, requiring final approval from each chamber, before it goes to President Obama to be signed into a law.
Senator Lincoln is up for re-election next year.
"Today Madame President I am thinking about the Arkansas family that cannot pay their mortgage because of their sick child. I am thinking about the Arkansas small business owner who told me that 20 percent of the cost of running his business goes to health insurance for him and his workers. And I'm thinking about the 450,000 Arkansans who have no health insurance," said Senator Lincoln.
Senator Lincoln committed to moving the debate forward Saturday, preventing a Republican filibuster.
Senator Lincoln says voting yes does not mean she agrees with everything in the bill, but she believes it is more important to begin the debate.
State Senator Gilbert Baker issued a statement saying while Senator Lincoln and the Democrats won, Americans lost.
He says the vote shows Senator Lincoln has no concern for what's best for Arkansans. The House passed their version of the health care bill a few weeks ago.
If the Senate also passes a bill, a congressional committee will then merge the two bills into a consensus version, requiring final approval from each chamber, before it goes to President Obama to be signed into a law.
Senator Lincoln is up for re-election next year.
