There may have been only one Republican vote, but the White House is welcoming the Senate Finance Committee's action today as a bipartisan endorsement of health care reform.

"[We] are pleased that the likely outcome appears that we'll be one step closer to reform; that all five committees that have and share jurisdiction over the important issue of health care will have reported a bill out which will be the first time that that's ever happened in -- in our history," Robert Gibbs said at his briefing today. "Obviously having the vote of Senator Snowe is important. [Obama] believes that she's worked constructively throughout this process to address a problem that Americans face and her constituents in Maine face."

Gibbs said Obama last spoke with the Maine senator last week. The president himself praised Snowe for being "extraordinarily diligent" in her work.

UPDATE: Obama will make a public statement on the Finance Committee vote from the Rose Garden after 5 pm.