Senate Democratic leaders told reporters that they are no longer pushing for a vote on healthcare reform before Congress' August recess, according to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was quoted as saying, "It's better to have a product based on quality and thoughtfulness rather than try to jam something through." Reid reportedly said that the Senate Finance Committee will act on its portion of the bill before the Senate starts its recess on August 7. That bill with then be merged with separate legislation passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this month. The decision to delay a vote was said to have been made Wednesday night in the hopes of getting a final bill that can win at least 60 votes in the Senate.
