Harry Reid Says "Nay" Before "Yea" During Health Care Vote
Updated 11:55 a.m ET
It was an early morning vote for the Senate, nearly before dawn as they raced to pass comprehensive health care reform so they could enjoy Christmas with their families.
The mood on the Senate Floor was relatively quiet, save for the usual hustle and bustle of Senate aides, as Senators sat at their desks to vote, which is customary for matters of particular importance.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, laughter erupted as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) mistakenly voted "nay" on health care reform. Microphones couldn't pick up what Reid was saying, but he quickly announced his actual vote of "yea" and laughter echoed throughout the Senate floor from both Democrats and Republicans, with a few Republicans even clapping.
In his post vote news conference Reid quipped, "I spent a very restless night last night trying to figure out how I could show some bipartisanship. And I think I was able to accomplish that for a few minutes today."
His gaffe, at least for a moment, seemed to bring both sides of the aisle together.
Watch the video above.
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