Updated December 23, 2009
GOP Challenges to Senate Health Bill Fail

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The Senate on Wednesday was on a path to defeating the last-ditch efforts by the GOP to derail the sweeping health care overhaul bill as it moved up its final passage vote by one hour to 7 a.m. ET Thursday.

The Senate voted 60-39 to reject Sen. John Ensign's call to examine the constitutionality of a health care mandate central to the overhaul bill.

The Nevada Republican wanted to determine whether it was constitutional for the federal government to require Americans to purchase health insurance.

The vote was one of a series of seven votes wrapping up the health care debate. The Senate also rejected an amendment by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, by a vote of 60-39.

Once the Senate measure is passed, it has to be merged with legislation passed by the House before a final bill could go to President Obama.

House liberals insisted Wednesday that certain provisions be included in the final bill, including a government-run insurance plan that was dropped in the Senate legislation as part of the concessions made to moderates to secure 60 votes.

"For Congress to achieve true health care reform we must have a meaningful conference process that integrates both bills into the best possible piece of legislation for the American people," California Reps. Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee said in a joint statement.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12 ... lth-fails/