Senate health care bill clears key hurdle

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate voted 60-39 Saturday night to proceed with a floor debate on Majority Leader Harry Reid's $848 billion health care bill.

The successful vote to prevent a Republican filibuster against starting debate broke down along strict party lines. All 58 Senate Democrats - along with Independent Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont - supported bringing the measure to the floor. Almost all of the 40 Senate Republicans opposed the motion.

A minimum of 60 votes is required to break a filibuster in the 100-member body.