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Sebelius: Dems Need 60 Votes to Pass Health Care

By Philip Klein on 6.26.09 @ 2:21PM

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on just completed conference call Friday afternoon that health care legislation would require 60 votes to clear the Senate.

The statement comes as many liberals are pressuring Democrats to abandon the idea of bipartisanship and use the reconciliation procedure, which would enable them to pass a health care bill with a simple majority, while triggering a nuclear war with Senate Republicans.

During the call, a reporter asked Sebelius why the Obama administration was talking about bipartisanship when Democrats have enough votes in Congress to pass whatever they want.

"While the votes may be there because the majority is pretty hefty in the House of Democratic support, the reality in the Senate is basically you need 60 votes in order to move procedurally to a vote on anything," she replied.