Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.), chair of the Republican Policy Committee, just gave a solid speech on the Senate floor. The best way to increase health-care coverage, he says, is to focus on jobs. Sen. David Vitter (R., La.) followed, with much of the same — adding that the bill would lead to billions in new taxes.
The Democrats will now have the floor for the next hour. Come 1 p.m., the Senate GOP will be back, and plans to shift from focusing on the fiscal impact of Reid’s bill to a discussion on its abortion language.