On Tuesday, Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a bid for the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat. This victory could affect the success of President Obama's health care legislation now that Democrats have lost their 60-seat majority in the Senate, and therefore, the ability to overcome Republican filibusters.
Brown will fill the seat held for nearly 50 years by Democrat Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a vocal supporter of health reform. Brown has vowed to oppose the bill, leaving Democrats in Congress concerned. Brown's state is unique in that it is unlikely to see many benefits from the national legislation because of former Republican Gov. Mitt Romney's role in passing a law that led to near-universal health coverage in the state.
The remaining options for the survival of the health care bill after Brown's victory were for the House to pass the same bill that the Senate just passed or for the bill to be reconciled before Brown is sworn in. Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday, however, that the Senate will not move forward to pass a final version of the bill until Brown takes his seat.
What do you think Brown's victory means for Obama's legislation? What are your hopes for health care reform?