Today, President Obama will be in Iowa to talk about Health care Reform and what it means to Americans.  This is a week that we can all be so proud of even if  Republicans have decided to not only act with malice but are adding to the drama of getting through the Peoples business. It’s obvious that after Senator McCain announced that Republicans would no longer work with Democrats… like a little kid;  they decided to invoke a little used rule that allows them to shut-down the Senate Chamber completely; which shuts down any and all business of the People. The Senate usually convenes at noon; this rule if not agreed to by unanimous consent stops all Senate business at 2pm.

Late into the evening, Republicans managed to find 2 minor language violations that would send the health bill back to the House.  In what can be considered a long day and night of deflecting attempts to kill the bill, language and provisions  regarding 16 lines about Pell Grants to low income students were deemed a glitch by Democrats. And while Democrats first thought they could just delete the measure; GOP found and were obviously looking for something to kill this bill, managed to find a couple of elements that violate the “Congress budget rules,”  The two provisions are expected to be formally removed from the bill on Thursday. Manley said “he expected the Senate to approve the measure without them and send it to the House. He said Senate leaders, after conversations with top House Democrats, expect the House to approve the revised measure.” After a long night of listening to one silly amendment after another and two minor issues; the Senate scheduled passage of the health bill for Thursday afternoon and they plan to finish this fix-it part before the Easter recess; they only need 215 to pass it this time; reports of a 2pmET Senate final vote and The US House will vote Thursday evening. stay tuned.

In other News …

The Senate will pass the measure around 6pmET; they need only 215 votes as a Republican has retired… updates will be coming if needed

Senator Rangel will be the last to speak at the final vote

DADT …huffington post reports The new guidelines, which go into effect immediately, are considered a stopgap measure until Congress decides whether to go along with President Barak Obama’s call for a repeal of the law.

Senator Wyden states that the HCR lawsuits on mandates are moot as the States can opt out

A 6.1 Earthquake rocked the Philipines/Capitol today no word on injuries yet

Officials have asked women to stop using baby slings at this time as there have been incidents

Toyota will face federal hearing and maybe a class action lawsuit

Obama seeks 2.8billion for Haiti

Senate Passes bill to send billions to local governments for local construction and infrastructure projects and welfare programs.

Senate passes bill to set nutritional standards for food in schools

reports that a lone Republican reached out to Dems regarding Bank Reform has been abandoned by R.Party leaders.

Russia and the US agree to began reducing the number of Nukes from 2200 to 1500, though 67votes are needed to pass this.

and what’s on CSPAN.or live-stream …

Health bill returns to House, GOP cite two minor provisions.  Last night, Senate Republicans found two minor provisions related to Pell grants that violate Senate procedure. The provisions must be removed from bill, and then returned to the House for passage. The Senate is expected to hold a final vote today on the bill.Senate Passes Reconciliation bill House to vote later.  The Senate has passed the Reconciliation bill by a vote of 56 to 43. The legislation now goes back to the House for a final vote because two provisions in the bill were taken out of the legislation by the Senate. The House is expected to vote on the bill this evening.

Senate Floor: NOW on C-SPAN2
Dem reaction: From Earlier
C-SPAN’s Health Care Hub C-SPAN’s Health Care Hub
AP: Senate to Return Health Bill to House

House Hearing: From Earlier
Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
HousingWire: Barofsky Harps on HAMP

Fed’s Emergency Programs Focus of HearingThe House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Unwinding Emergency Federal Reserve Liquidity Programs and Implications for Economic Recovery.” Fed. Chair Ben Bernanke will testify to the Committee on unwinding the Fed’s emergency programs. Testimony by economic academics and experts will follow the Chairman’s appearance.

Hearing on Fed Liquidity REUTERS: Fed exit fraught with dangers Hearing Witnesses List
Chair. Bernanke’s Prepared Testimony

Senate Cmte. Examines Fiscal Year 2010 War SupplementalDoD Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the Senate Appropriations Cmte. on additional funds needed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war supplemental is an estimated $33 billion for fiscal year 2010 to support various missions, including the deployment of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan last year.

Senate Appropriations Cmte.: From Earlier
Cmte on Appropriations