Congress moved one step closer to healthcare reform over the weekend as the Senate voted 60-39 to bring the $848 billion healthcare reform bill to the floor for debate. All 60 members of the Democratic Conference, which includes 58 Democrats and two independents, voted to invoke cloture and kill a Republican-led attempt to filibuster debate on the bill. Saturday's vote only allows debate on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to begin.

"We can see the finish line now, but we're not there," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said after the floor vote on Saturday evening. "The road ahead is a long stretch."

Leaders in Congress plan to consider student aid legislation after healthcare reform is passed, or combine it with a health care bill if Congress can't pass healthcare through the normal legislative process.

While three vacillating Democrats finally decided to vote with their party to overcome a Republican-led filibuster, they remain uncertain as to whether they will ultimately support the bill. Democratic leaders have voiced serious concerns about passing healthcare legislation through the budget reconciliation process, the option will likely remain open as debate on the bill continues. If healthcare cannot be passed through the normal legislative process, it will likely be added to student aid legislation in one reconciliation bill that only requires a simple majority for passage.

The Senate is in recess this week for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene and begin debate on the healthcare bill Monday, Nov. 30.

Posted 11/23/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.