Senate Democrats have moved one step closer to passing a major healthcare reform bill. In a party line vote of 60-39, the Senate voted Saturday evening to open debate on the bill. Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urged fellow Democrats to back the measure.

Sen. Harry Reid: “Don’t try to silence a great debate over a great crisis. Don’t let history show that when given the chance to debate and defend your position, to work with us for the good of our country and constituents, you ran and hid. You cannot wish away a great emergency by closing your eyes and pretending it doesn’t exist. There is an emergency, and it exists, and it exists now.”

The Democratic victory was assured earlier in the day when the party’s last two holdouts, Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu, said they would support the motion but would not commit to backing the final bill without changes. Landrieu backed the vote only after she secured an additional $300 million in increased Medicaid funding to her state in 2011. Senators will begin debate on the bill next week.