Obama claimed it would be televised. It wasn’t.
Of course it was, you can still watch it. The five televised committee markups, the House floor debate. Here's the tape of just the Senate floor debate before the first vote, which was on TV for five straight weeks.
November 20, 2009: The Senate began debate on comprehensive health care reform legislation.
November 21, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on health care reform legislation.
November 30, 2009: The Senate debated health care reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned Senators to expect daily votes on the bill, plus evening and weekend sessions.
December 1, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 2, 2009: The Senators are taking up H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 3, 2009: Senate debate continues on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 4, 2009: The Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to H.R. 3590, the health care bill. Yesterday, the Senate passed an amendment providing preventive health services for women and another guaranteeing Medicare benefits. Debate on the bill continued over the weekend.
December 5, 2009: Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to health care legislation.
December 6, 2009: The Senate reconvened in a special weekend session. Members continued debate on amendments...
December 7, 2009: The U.S. Senate began the second week and eighth day of health care legislation.
December 8, 2009: Day 9 of the Senate health care reform debate.
December 9, 2009: On day 10 of debate on health care reform...
December 10, 2009: Health care debate continues.
December 12, 2009: The Senate convened... continued with health care reform legislation.
December 13, 2009: In a rare Sunday session the Senate took a final vote on the $447 billion FY 2010 omnibus spending bill. After the vote, members continued to debate health care legislation.
December 14, 2009: The Senate resumed consideration of health care legislation.
December 15, 2009: Senators planned to finish debate on several amendments and motions dealing with buying prescription from other countries and middle class taxes.
December 16, 2009: The Senate held its 15th day of health care debate.
December 17, 2009: Throughout the day, Senators may continue to speak on health care legislation and the Senate is expected to return to the debate after voting on the defense bill.
December 19, 2009: The Senate...resumed debate on health care legislation. This is the 17th day of health care debate.
December 21, 2009: The Senate continued debate on health care legislation.
December 22, 2009: The Senate approved Majority Leader Reid’s Managers Amendment with a vote of 60-39.
December 23, 2009: The Senate is now holding a series of votes, including adoption of the Majority Leader’s substitute amendment and a vote to limit debate on the bill.
December 24, 2009: The Senate passed the $871 billion health care bill, H.R. 3590, by a vote of 60 to 39.