Around the World: United States

Health bill gains momentum

Outnumbered Republicans are vowing to delay passage of historic health care legislation as long as possible after jubilant Democrats locked in the 60th and decisive vote.

Moderate Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson's backing puts President Barack Obama's signature issue firmly on a path for Christmas Eve passage. Democrats will need to show 60 votes on two additional occasions, with the next - and most critical - test vote set for about 1 am today (Washington time).

(China Daily 12/21/2009 page11)