The perceived wariness of a few U.S. Senate moderate Democrats on moving forward the health reform bill cobbled together by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid dissipated yesterday. All 58 Democrats and the two independents who typically vote with the majority party Dems held together and passed the bill (with an $858 billion pricetag) along to Senate floor debate on 60-39 vote. The vote from tri-state senators saw, of course, the three Democrats (Tom Harkin, Tim Johnson and Ben Nelson) voting affirmatively, while Republicans Mike Johanns, Charles Grassley and John Thune voted nay.

“This is a momentous, pivotal vote,” Harkin said.

Harkin — who could not appear in person when 1,500 Iowa Democrats attended the Jefferson-Jackson event last night, but gave a message via video — said now is the time for the bill particulars to be chewed over. One timeline  heard today is the Senate could work up to Dec. 23 to try to finalize health care reform, but a vote may not happen until mid-January. The House has passed a bill, while the Senate is still not there. If the Senate does, the process would involve a reconciliation between the House and Senate versions.

“We can see the finish line now, but we are not there,” said  Reid.

Check out the You Tube video below to see the roll call vote.

Or for a wry look at the 2,000-plus page Senate health care bill, view the video below.