Final congressional approval to the last part of President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul was given by the U. S. House on Thursday.

The House adopted a measure by a vote of 220-207 that had won Senate approval earlier in the day. The Senate voted 56-43 in favor of a package of changes to the sweeping social legislation, with Vice President Joseph Biden presiding in his role as Senate president.

The measure was returned to the House because of the changes. It now goes to Obama's desk for his signature.

A ceremonial gesture The New York Times observed was reserved for historic occasions, senators cast their votes standing individually at their desks.

Republicans unanimously opposed the measure and promised to carry their opposition into the fall election campaign in the hope of winning back majorities in Congress and repealing the measure.

According to his office, Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was ill and did not vote.

"There are 56 yeas and 43 nays. The bill as amended is passed," Biden said.

The Times further said that the bill, a budget reconciliation measure the Republicans could not filibuster, also included a broad restructuring of federal student loan programs to pay for billions of dollars in school initiatives.

A provision in the student loan restructuring was found to violate reconciliation rules earlier in the day. That provision sought to prevent any annual decrease in the maximum amount of Pell grants for students from low-income families. (With Inputs from Agencies)