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Landrieu, who is considered a centrist Democrat, made her announcement in a speech on the Senate floor. While she said the bill contained "amazing and cutting-edge reforms" to reduce health-care costs, she cautioned that she had not decided whether to support passing the bill in a final Senate vote.
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"I've decided that there are enough significant reforms and safeguards in this bill to move forward, but much more work needs to be done," Landrieu said.
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The vote on the procedural motion, which if approved would allow the Senate to formally begin debate on the measure after it returns from a Thanksgiving recess, is set for 8 p.m. EST Saturday.
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Landrieu's announcement follows a similar announcement by Sen. Ben Nelson, (D., Neb.), another centrist, on Friday. Democrats are still waiting on Sen. Blanche Lincoln, (D., Ark.), who faces a tough re-election battle in 2010, to announce how she will vote on the measure.
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In all, 60 senators--58 Democrats and 2 independents--caucus with Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.), must secure all of their votes in order to prevent a filibuster on the motion to proceed to the bill.
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Reid has worked assiduously to gain the support of Nelson, Landrieu and Lincoln to begin debate on the bill. Aides have pointed to a provision in the bill that would steer an estimated $200 million to $250 million in Medicaid funds for Louisiana in fiscal 2011 as an overture to Landrieu.
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-By Patrick Yoest, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-3554; patrick.yoest@dowjones.com
Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http://www.djnewsplus.com/access/al?rnd=Xe%2Fsjdo6uTceR2BNpA5ArA%3D%3D. You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 21, 2009 12:58 ET (17:58 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 12 58 PM EST 11-21-09
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