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Reid casts wrong vote on health care for second time

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Sen. Reid's accidental 'No'
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Sen. Harry Reid mistakenly votes "no" on health care reconciliation bill
  • Reid realized error, quickly changed vote to "yes"
  • Reid made similar mistake in December when voting on original health care bill

Washington (CNN) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid mistakenly called out "no" Thursday when asked for his vote on the health care reconciliation bill, setting the chamber howling with laughter.

Reid voted the wrong way when the clerk called for his vote, realized his error and quickly changed his vote to "yes."

"He did it again," someone said amid laughter.

Reid, who spent months persuading fellow senators to vote "yes" on President Obama's top domestic priority, made the same mistake December 24 when voting on the original health care bill.

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His office said Reid made the gaffe because he was so focused on getting health care passed.

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The reconciliation measure, also known as the "fixes" bill, makes changes in the broader health care overhaul measure that Obama enacted Tuesday.

The Senate had to vote again on health care after Republicans forced two minor provisions involving student loan funding to be stripped from the bill. The final vote was 56-43 for approval, after which it was sent to the House, which also passed the measure.

The "fixes" bill now goes to Obama to be signed into law.

CNN's Ted Barrett contributed to this report.