Political blog

President Barack Obama is hailing a Senate vote to propel health care legislation toward final passage, calling it a “big victory for the American people.”

Obama said the Senate showed it could stand up to special interests and move the nation closer to a health insurance overhaul for families.

By the thinnest possible margin, all 58 Democrats and the Senate’s two independents held together early Monday in a crucial test vote against unanimous Republican opposition. The move overcame a procedural effort that could have scuttled a final vote on the massive bill.

The Senate is on pace to pass the bill before Christmas.

He said the bill would reduce the deficit long term, countering criticism that the legislation is too expensive.