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No vacation for Obama till Senate passes Health care bill

The first family of the United States might have to wait a bit longer for its annual Christmas vacation as President Barack Obama said he would not leave till the landmark bill on health care reform was passed.

Updated on: Dec 23, 2009, 14:35:32 IST
PTI | By , Washington
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The first family of the United States might have to wait a bit longer for its annual Christmas vacation as President Barack Obama said he would not leave till the landmark bill on health care reform was passed.

HT Image
HT Image

"You know, I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work," Obama said on Tuesday. The Senate is expected to pass the health care bill on Christmas eve.

"My attitude is that if they are making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans, then the least I can do is to be around and provide them any encouragement and last-minute help where necessary," he said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said they would be taking a decision later in evening about when the President would leave for his vacation to Hawaii.

"As soon as we know the outcome of that decision, we will let you guys know. But, no decisions have been made at this point," he said.

The United States Senate on Monday cleared a major hurdle in the passage of the health care bill by a crucial 60-40 votes; giving the majority Democrats the much needed confidence to go ahead with the bill.

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