Rep. Dingell, longtime champion of health overhaul, takes gavel as House begins debate

Associated Press

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 1:05 PM

WASHINGTON - Democrats gave the gavel Saturday to the longest-serving House member ever as the chamber began debating legislation overhauling the country's health care system.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., was given the honor of presiding at the start of what was expected to be a lengthy, contentious debate. Dingell joined the House in 1955, replacing his late father, and has introduced his father's national health insurance bill every year since.

After Dingell banged the gavel for the first time, Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., said he "has had reform of health care in his blood."

Dingell, 83, said many lawmakers have worked on the issue and added, "the nation will be grateful to us all."

With Dingell overseeing the proceedings, it took three hours of raucous debate for Democrats to prevail on an initial procedural vote as Republicans repeatedly interrupted Democratic speakers with parliamentary objections.

Tempers eventually cooled, and after the procedural vote, members of both parties gave Dingell a standing ovation as his turn to preside came to an end.

(This version CORRECTS that Dingell is from Michigan, not Maryland.)

Recent In Congress stories

House rejects Republican health overhaul bill as prelude to vote on Democratic plan - November 7, 2009

House rejects Republican health overhaul bill as prelude to vote on Democratic plan - The House has used a near party line vote to reject a Republican health overhaul bill. More

Health care overhaul bill clears first hurdle in House as test vote passes - November 7, 2009

Health care overhaul bill clears first hurdle in House as test vote passes - President Barack Obama's health care initiative has cleared its first big hurdle in the House, with lawmakers voting to advance the debate. More

Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments

The Whistleblower blog has moved

The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]