Senator Dodd said right before the vote:
I ALSO WANT TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT, IF I CAN, MR. PRESIDENT, TO RECOGNIZE A COLLEAGUE WHO IS HERE TONIGHT ONLY IN SPIRIT, TED KENNEDY… TONIGHT WE AND IN THE DAYS TO COME WILL PAY HIM THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT AS OUR COLLEAGUE BY FULFILLING THAT QUEST OF ACHIEVING THE GOAL THAT ALL AMERICANS ASPIRE FOR, AND THAT IS A NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT SERVES EVERY ONE OF OUR CITIZENS.