7:41:03 PM: Current debate involves Republican “alternative” to Democratic bill.

7:45:02 PM: Rep. Barton — argues against bill on basis of immense costs, mandates…

7:48:03 PM: Rep. Rangel — looking stressed from his own tax problems — asks for words from Rep. Stark on pro bill argument.

7:51:20 PM: Up now, Rep McDermott — a psychiatrist — argues for public option…laying it on harshly!

7:53:30 PM: Rep. Doggett adding fuel to Dems’ fire…

7:55:37 PM: Votes on both abortion provision and Republican alternative follows debate….

8:05:17 PM: Rep. Rangel addresses missed Republican potential to effect change with appropriate due diligence and morality with regard to health reform.

8:07:04 PM: Getting ever so closer to end of debate.

8:08:28 PM: Ed Markey (D-MA) addresses pre-existing condition discrimination invoking AMA and AARP support for Dems’ bill.

8:13:32 PM: Rep. Gonzalez (D-TX) criticizes healthcare cost increases in his state from the “Texas model” he says Republicans “guilty” of supporting.

8:19:20 PM: Rep. Cantor — one of the most fiscally conservative Repubs. — makes case for his party’s alternative.

8:21:25 PM: Less than 10 minutes remain until House vote.

8:25:55 PM: John Boehner up once again on cusp of vote.

8:29:51 PM: Boehner uses current unemployment climate as argument against “wasteful” Democratic plan.

8:32:25 PM: Boehner criticizes Dem plan as overtly taxing employers and cutting Medicare (Advantage) benefits to beneficiaries to pay for reform.

8:34:47 PM: Boehner mispronounces the word “hyperbole”. Thinks it rhymes with “bowl”.

8:38:34 PM: Boehner now cherry-picking points from HR 3962 to make his points against reform bill. Taking longer than expected….

8:41:58 PM: Via Politico http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29263.html, Dem leaders feel they have votes to pass $1.2T reform bill.

8:49:13 PM: Rep. Waxman intros Rep. Dingell, the bill’s primary author, to close out debate. Exciting!

8:51:40 PM: Dingell eloquent with final remarks, addressing scope of reach of reform to uninsured.

8:57:45 PM: Let the voting begin….

8:59:19 PM: Right now, voting on Stupak amendment — critical to final reform bill vote.

9:23:24 PM: Voting continues. Next up — a vote on the Republican bill alternative, then a vote on HR 3962.

9:44:29 PM: Stupak amendment (as expected) passes, GOP alternative defeated, final vote on history-making reform bill looms.

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