WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of the Senate head to work this morning as they try to reach agreement on a $1 trillon proposed health care overhaul.
Both parties are bracing for grueling debate, as Majority Leader Harry Reid pushes for passage of the 2,000-page bill by Christmas.
The biggest problem for Reid is getting members of his own party to agree on the divisive issues of abortion funding and a government insurance plan that would compete with the private market.
He needs all 60 members of his caucus to agree, but several moderates are balking.
As talks continue behind the scenes, Democratic leaders are giving today's spotlight to moderate Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. She'll propose an amendment that takes aim at executive pay in the insurance industry. The measure proposes limiting executives' tax deductible salaries to the same amount the U.S. president makes, $400,000.
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<<APPHOTO DCHG112 (12/04/09)>>
: Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln, D-Ark., accompanied by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., speaks during a health care news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
<<APPHOTO DCPM114 (12/01/09)>>
: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., right, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. meet with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday,Dec. 1, 2009.
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