Senate begins vote on whether to move forward on historic health care bill

Senate vote under way on 1st test of health care

WASHINGTON — The Senate has begun voting on whether to move ahead on a sweeping health care bill.

The roll call began with many of the 100 members seated in their chairs and rising to vote. Such formal voting is common with Supreme Court nominations.

Hours earlier, Democratic leaders had sealed the 60 votes necessary to proceed on the legislation, a win for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and the White House. The last two holdouts — Sens. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana — said they would vote to advance the bill.

All 40 Republicans are expected to vote “no.”